A Happy Gut Makes a Happy Man – Try Yoga for Digestive Health

Do you feel the heaviness of a bloated stomach and tortures and discomfort of indigestion? Or is constipation chasing you? If you are facing even any one of them, then here are some simple yogic postures that could relieve you from the everyday distress and inconveniences that you go through relentlessly.

Yoga Postures to Promote Digestive Wellness

A healthy digestive is a treasure that not everyone is blessed with. If you have any problems with your digestive system, then here are some very simple and common yoga postures that could give you relief as soon as possible.

1. Frog Pose or Mandukasana

This pose makes use of compression on the stomach to help with the digestive system. It is a very simple pose that is carried out by kneeling and sitting on the heels. The clenched fists are then placed on the position where the stomach meets the thighs. The pose begins with inhalation with the open chest and exhaling by folding forward with the forehead well rested on the floor. This way the stomach is scrunched tight which does the magic.

2. Seated Forward Bend or Paschimotthasana

This is a very replenishing and revitalising process which activates the digestive system into its role with the squeezing and releasing effect. It aids with digestion by eliminating toxins from the system and fighting against constipation.

3. Bow Pose or Dhanurasana

The bow pose not only reinforces the digestive system, but it also tones up the digestive organs by applying abdominal pressure on them. The pose is good to activate the Solar Plexus Chakra effective in balancing all the functions of the digestive system in its entirety.

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Yoga to Combat Bloating

If you feel the discomfort of bloating, never hesitate to let out the gas that has built up in you. 10-20 times a day is normal, but if you feel you want to remain healthy here are some yoga poses that you could try for bloating:

• Ardha apanasana or knee-to-chest pose which releases all the gas trapped in the intestine by lying flat on the ground with one knee on the chest. The leg is held tightly in position with the hand at the kneecap position and the other leg straight out for 5 minutes. It is then repeated with the other leg.
• Uttanasana or forward fold which uses the power of gravity to stretch the spine and make the stomach comfortable. With knees apart as far as the hips and bend over so that the whole body is over the thighs. With the head and neck dangling, you can keep your hands on your shins or the calves. Stand in this position for a good 1-3 minutes before slowly getting up.
• Balasana or child’s pose helps to calm both the digestive system and the mind. It releases all the tension from the pelvic region and the lower back area. Sit in a tabletop position on the hands and knees. Press the hips on the heels and stretch out the hands while the stomach rests between the thighs and the forehead on the ground. This position should be held for 2-3 minutes before getting up again.  

Yoga for Constipation

Yoga goes far beyond the realm of relaxing and calming your mind. It helps every organ of the body. It is as effective for constipation as it is for other health issues. So here are some of the poses that relieve constipation:

• Supine twist or Matsyasana pose that stimulates the digestive organs and detoxifies the system.
• Wind-relieving pose helps in releasing the unwanted and uncomfortable gas from the body.
• Vajrasana pose boosts blood circulation in the abdominal region which steps up the digestive organs as well as the system itself.

Yoga for Indigestion

Here are a few proven yogic postures that could help tackle indigestion:

• Ustrasana or camel pose stretches and makes the stomach strong and ensures that all bodily channels work better. It arrests acid reflux and boosts digestion.
• Supta badha konasana or reclining bound angle pose helps to keep away from gastrointestinal irregularities, relaxes those muscles & keeps abdominal pain and heartburn at bay. It also fixes anxiety, insomnia, tiredness, irritability and headaches.
• Pavanamuktasana or wind-relieving pose keeps the gastrointestinal system healthy. It releases trapped gas and alleviates bloating. The toning effect on the muscles in the abdomen, buttocks and anus relieves constipation and piles.

So many yogic postures could be a companion all the way to a healthy digestive system.