For thousands of years, humans have utilised yoga as a traditional practice to harmonise the mind and body. For many, it also has a spiritual component. Your parasympathetic nervous system, sometimes called the “rest and digest system,” is stimulated by these exercises.
The gut-brain axis is a network of nerves and biochemical signals that connects the brain and digestive system via blood flow. This system enables your gut to react physically and mentally by producing symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach pains, constipation, nausea, and changes in appetite and digestion. The breakdown of food to release nutrients and waste into your body is called “digestion.”
Yet, many individuals also use the phrase to describe any digestive problems, including gas, bloating, pain, and the consistency and frequency of stools.
Best 5 Yoga Options to Aid in Digestion
The practice of yoga is said to aid in digestion, and the following 5 poses are said to help considerably:
- Sukhasana Parsva
Steps to Asana:
- Sit on the floor with your legs crossed and hands at your sides touching the ground.
- Lean slowly and softly to your right side while raising your left arm upright, keeping your right hand on the ground and palms outwards.
- Maintain calm breaths for about three to five cycles. Repeat after switching sides.
This is a terrific routine for beginners to stretch their obliques, stomach muscles, lower and upper back, and shoulders.
The simple stretch might improve digestion overall and relieve bloating and gas.
- Shavasana
Steps to Asana:
- Lie facing the ceiling with your arms by the sides and your legs straight.
- Please take a deep breath to the count of four, hold it for the next four counts, and then let it out for the last four counts while closing your eyes. Observe how your chest or stomach rises and falls with each breath to keep your attention on the breath and away from distracting ideas.
- Relax your muscles naturally by letting gravity do it.
- This should be done for at least five minutes or as long as you like.
The Corpse Pose is often done towards the conclusion of yoga practice. With regulated breathing and meditation, it is intended to help you reach real relaxation.
- Dhruvasana
Steps to Asana:
- Lay on your stomach with your hands at your sides and your legs straight.
- Get your feet near your buttocks while bending your knees back. Hold your ankles with your hands. Make sure your knees and the hip regions are aligned along the curve.
- Lift your thighs slightly off the ground as you draw your feet closer to your torso. Lift your head, raising your chest at the same flow. Keep the pelvis grounded.
- Hold for four to five inhalations.
- Slowly increase the breathing cycles if breathing is difficult. Some people could decide to omit this action.
The Dhruvasana Bow Pose resembles an archer’s bow in appearance. It extends your back, and supporters claim it eases menstrual cramps and helps with digestion and constipation.
- Bhujangasana
Steps to Asana:
- A Face-down posture is a good place to start. Keep your feet apart, align with the hip, and bend your elbows.
- The upper part of your feet should align with the ground when you extend them.
- Slowly push your head and chest by taking the load on your hands. Bend your elbows slightly bent as you progressively straighten your arms. Put your shoulders back and down. Instead of lifting your chin, focus on stretching your chest and ribs.
- Keep your pelvis securely positioned on the floor and concentrate on lifting your chest, upper back, and shoulders forward.
- Look up a little without extending your neck or bringing your head up. Hold for four to five inhalations.
Bhujangasana Cobra Pose resembles an erect snake. It stretches the abdominal muscles with special attention to the spinal column. As a result, it improves posture and aids in overall digestion improvement.
- Apanasana
Steps to Asana:
- Lay in a face-up position with your legs straight.
- Bend your knees and use your arms to bring them closer to your chest.
- Maintain this posture for four to five breathing cycles.
An easy posture known as Apanasana, or knees to chest, may be soothing and help lower back pain. Health advisers encourage this yoga for digestion to regulate bowel motions as it has a massaging effect on the big intestine.
Conclusion
For someone going through digestive issues and general alimentary problems, the asanas given above may prove extremely helpful. For someone with issues with step, there is always the option of online yoga sessions.