If you are new to yoga what you might not know is that there are many simple yoga poses that you can do no matter your skill level that can strengthen digestion and alleviate bloating and digestive complaints. Today I will be sharing with you my 3 favorite poses for digestion. These poses stimulate digestion by compressing and releasing of the digestive organs. Hold each pose for 5-10 slow breaths and then slowly release and move into the next pose. You can repeat these poses any time you feel like you need to throughout the day. These are also great poses for releasing stress and calming the nervous system.
Apanasana:
This pose is known as the "wind removing" pose. This pose is done laying on the ground on your back and gently pulling knees into chest while wrapping your arms around knees and gently pulling in or hugging knees to belly. Stay here for 5-10 slow breaths in through the nose closed mouth.
If it is not comfortable doing this with both knees at the same time you can bring one knee in and hug against chest with other leg straight out in front and hold for the 5-10 breaths and then switch legs and repeat on other side.
Seated Spinal Twist:
For a sitting spinal twist sit up tall with both legs stretched out in front of you. Take your left leg and cross over to outer side of right leg placing left foot flat on ground. Take the right elbow as you twist your body to the left and place outside of knee and press elbow against knee while twisting spine a little more to left. Repeat on other side.
If this is too difficult for you a modified pose would be to sit indian style and twist your upper body to the left placing the right hand on the left knee. Hold for 5-10 breaths and then repeat on other side
Childs Pose:
My favorite of all poses!
Come to a seated position sitting up tall with your legs folded under sitting on heels with knees either together or slightly apart if more comfortable. slowly bend your upper body forward laying across the tops of legs stretching your arms out in front of you. The closer your knees are together the greater the benefit to digestive system
This pose gives you almost a manual massage like action to your intestinal tract.
I hope you enjoy these yoga poses and remember don't ever push yourself to the point of pain when doing these. They should feel good with the right level of stretch but not painful. Only go to what you are capable of and with time you will see that you are able to go deeper into each pose as your body starts to relax into these positions. Always go slow and don't push. These are restorative poses and not meant to be painful.
Please feel free to share your experiences with us in the comments section at the bottom.
In great Health,
Brandy Augustine Phd
"The Gut Healer"