Yoga Poses to Help Digestion – 10 Minute Class

Digestion issues seem to be on the rise. It seems more and more of us are overeating, and undernourished. While intermittent fasting and diet can help sometimes we need to find relief elsewhere. And there are yoga poses to help digestion, and relieve gas and bloating.

There are many yoga poses to help digestion but sometimes less is more. The poses included in this class are suitable for all levels, including beginners. If you’re feeling some discomfort this routine contains Yoga Poses to Help Digestion and promote pooping.

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Yoga Poses to Help Digestion

The main thing to remember when thinking about helping digestion is we need to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. Also called the ‘rest and digest’ system. To this end, we move slowly and mindfully.

Arch & Flatten

This is a staple in almost ALL of my yoga sessions. Start with the knees bent and feet on the floor. Tilt the top of the pelvis upwards on the inhale and downwards on the exhale.

This movement should gently stimulate and massage the internal organs from the inside out and the outside in. Make it a small movement

Windshield wipers

Twists are among the best yoga poses to help digestion. BUT they need to be done slowly, especially to start. And, we need to make smaller movements first to prepare for bigger twists later. Windshield wipers are great for this as they massage the colon and intestines and help get things moving.

Start with the knees bent and feet on the floor. Separate the feet wide allowing the knees to sway to the right, then back up and over to the left.

Apanasana – Wind Relieving Pose

Did you know there is a pose in yoga called “wind relieving pose”? Apanasana has either one or both knees drawn into the chest. To begin, bring the right knee to the chest with the left knee bent and foot on the floor. Circle the right knee around clockwise for a while to stimulate the ascending colon. Then hold for 5-8 breaths.

For more relief, try extending the opposite leg. This is more challenging. However, you could support the extended leg on a bolster or chair.

Reclined Twist

Twists are the best yoga poses to help with digestion. But standing poses are often too intense when we’re dealing with bloating, gas or indigestion. So, take the twist to the floor with a reclined twist. Laying back with the knees bent, allow both knees to fall to the side. This creates a wringing action in the torso.

If this feels uncomfortable then offer support for the pose with props. This could be having a blanket or block between the knees. If the legs are close to the floor but don’t touch then support the legs on top of a bolster or cushion.

Remember to repeat the poses on both sides. HOWEVER, for yoga poses to help digestion twists should be done always turning the torso to the right first (legs to the left). While twisting to the left first is not a matter of life or death, or injurious, it’s not optimal for digestion.

Twisting the torso the right first massages the ascending colon, then transverse. Twisting the left last massages the descending colon and promotes elimination.

Questions

• Did you know there is a wind relieving pose?
• Have you suffered from digestion issues?
• What yoga poses help you with gas or bloating?