5 Yoga Poses for Better Digestion

March 16, 2020

ApeironRetreats

Restorative, Yoga Practice

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5 Yoga Poses for Better Digestion

It’s commonly known that yoga helps in maintaining a good posture, eases pain in the back and supports mental health. However, few people may know that yoga is also effective when it comes to digestive function.

Certain poses aid digestion and improve the digestion system. Even though we shouldn’t practice right after our meal but a few hours later will be the perfect moment to help the process.

So, here are 5 yoga poses for better digestion. Always remember to focus on your breathing and feel comfortable in every posture.

1. Wind Relieving pose (Pavanamuktasana)

If you have trouble digesting or your digestion is too slow Wind Relieving Pose will help you unwind. Practice it before going to sleep, focusing on your asanas and following the line of the pose.

HOW: Lie on your back, extend your right leg in front and slowly bring your left knee to your chest. Exhaling while drawing your knee to you and inhale as you lower your knee on the mat. Repeat with the right knee.

HOW LONG: Hold for 1-2 minutes.

2. Half Lord of the Fishes (Ardha Matsyendrasana)

If you aim at better digestion focus on your twists. Half Lord of the Fishes Pose helps in cleansing the digestive system by reducing blood pressure on the area and straining out the toxins.

HOW: As you sit on your mat back straight, legs in front, bend your knees and slide the right foot under the left leg to the outside of the left hip. Step the left foot over the right leg as you lay the outside of your right leg on the mat. Twist your torso with your left hand on the floor behind your right thigh and the right hand outside your left knee.
Inhale as you lengthen your spine with your tailbone on the floor, exhale while twisting even more.
Turn your head to the left if comfortable or look over the right shoulder.

HOW LONG: Hold for 30 seconds – 1 minute

3. Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottasana)

Paschimottanasana is a common hamstring stretching pose, but it also helps during digestion. A slight modification to the pose will aid you to make the best of it.

HOW: Lie on your mat and place a pillow or a block on your thighs. Take a deep breath as you fold forward; let your belly will rest on the block and help your digestion system. By exhaling the area is decompressed. Repeat a few times.

HOW LONG: Hold for a few minutes each time.

4. Peacock pose (Mayurasana)

Now, this is a master pose. If you are a beginner in yogi this a hard one to handle. If you practice this pose regularly your digestive system will work perfectly. The pressure put in the stomach and the digestive organs while on the pose, by returning to the natural posture new oxygen flows into the are improving the function.

HOW: Kneel on the floor with your knees wide sitting on your heels. Press your palms on the mat with fingers facing in the opposite direction. Bend your elbows to touch your torso, straight legs and torso up the floor and stand there for a moment.

HOW LONG: Hold for as much as possible and repeat.

5. Corpse pose (Savasana)

At the end of each practice, Savasana brings peace to our bodies. As you lie on your back tension is released and your body is getting into a healing process. The oxygen flows smoothly to all of your organs including the digestive ones and the digestion is made easier as the heart rate is becoming slowlier.

HOW: Lie on your back, legs in front slightly open, arms on the sides with palms facing on the ceiling. Just relax and focus on your breathing.

HOW LONG: Hold for 4-5 minutes.

Looking for more restorative exercises to help you start your journey to relaxation and reforming? Check out the 8 Basic Yoga Poses to Ease Back Pain.