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Yoga and Digestion
Yoga has so many benefits for our health when practised regularly. Even if your lifestyle choices are not perfect, yoga can make a big difference to your overall wellbeing, and especially to your digestive system.
There are specific yoga poses that can empower your body’s digestion and improve the health of your organs. Certain asanas aim to improve the functioning of the digestive organs: the liver, pancreas, stomach, and intestines, to eliminate excess tension that interferes with proper blood circulation. Regular practice of carefully selected poses can help you improve digestion and bring balance into your digestive system.
Here are the best poses to help you improve your digestion and metabolism. If you perform some of these asanas in combination with other postures that you love or have a special session, you will notice a difference in just a few weeks.
Padangushthasana
Bend down until you can reach your big toes. You can keep your knees slightly bent, your feet the width of your hips, and your breath calm and steady. In this asana, a little pressure is applied on the stomach to help the release of excess air. This forward fold lowers stress levels, improves blood circulation, and enhances digestive processes.
Vajrasana
Sit on the yoga mat by kneeling. Fold the knees and ankles backwards and point the feet in line with the legs. Sit back on your legs and exhale. Buttocks should rest on the heels, and thighs should rest on your calves. Keep your spine, neck and head straight. Close your eyes and start deep breathing. You can remain in this asana for up to 10 minutes. While it looks simple, it can significantly improve digestion.
Bhujangasana
Lie down on your stomach with your toes flat on the floor, soles facing upwards; rest your forehead on the ground. Place both hands in such a way that your palms are touching the ground under your shoulders. Taking a deep breath, slowly lift your head, chest and abdomen. Keep your navel on the floor. Pull your torso back and off the floor with the support of your hands. Make sure that you are putting equal pressure on both palms. Maintain the pose while breathing evenly for 4-5 breaths. This asana activates the work of the abdominal organs and has a beneficial effect on the spine and thyroid gland. It also has anti-stress effects.
Halasana
Lie on your back with your arms beside you, palms downwards. As you inhale, use your abdominal muscles to lift your feet off the floor, raising your legs vertically at a 90-degree angle. Continue to breathe normally and support your hips and back with your hands, lifting them off the ground. Allow your legs to sweep at a 180-degree angle over your head till your toes touch the floor. Your back should be perpendicular to the floor. This may be difficult initially, but make an attempt for a few seconds. Hold this pose and let your body relax more and more with each steady breath.
Halasana prevents the appearance of hernias, improves blood circulation and brain function, as well as the functioning of the digestive and pelvic organs.
Balasana
Sit on your heels on a yoga mat. Slowly, bend forward by lowering your forehead to touch the floor, exhaling as you do so. Keep your arms alongside your body. Gently press your chest on the thighs (or between the thighs if the latter are apart). Hold for 45 seconds to 1 minute. Regulate your breath. Place your palms under the shoulders and gradually raise your upper body to return to the sitting position on the heels while inhaling. Relax. Child’s pose stimulates the digestive system by massaging the internal organs, normalizing blood circulation in the pelvic organs, and improving metabolism. It also relieves tension by calming the body and mind.
Enjoy practising yoga for better digestion.
Find out what you can eat as a pre-and post-workout snack.
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