Have you noticed that an upset stomach can affect your mood and impact your daily activities? This is the reason why your gut is also referred to as the second brain. The nerve that joins the gut and the brain is known as the vagus nerve. If you have been dealing with digestive issues, such as bloating, constipation, and gas, it’s time to practice yoga. It helps improve your digestive health by promoting circulation, physical ability, and gut motility. Yoga poses can help with digestion by gently compressing and releasing the stomach and colon.
Yoga Asanas To Improve Gut Health
1. Downward Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Downward Dog Pose is a great yoga posture that helps stimulate digestion and relieve bloating. It stretches the muscles in the abdomen and promotes the flow of blood and oxygen to the digestive organs. This pose also helps to lengthen the spine and reduce tension in the back.
Step 1: As you begin, get down on your hands and knees, placing your wrists just below your shoulders and your knees just below your hips.
Step 2: Inhale and lift your hips towards the ceiling, straightening your arms and legs.
Step 3: Keep your feet hip-width apart and press your heels towards the floor.
Step 4: Hold this pose for several breaths, then release.
Also Read: Beat The Summer Heat By Performing These 5 Yoga Poses
2. Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
Cat-Cow Pose is a gentle yoga posture that helps to improve digestion and relieve tension in the back. This pose also helps to massage the spine and reduce stress.
Step 1: Starting from a position of hands and knees, place your wrists just below your shoulders and your knees just below your hips.
Step 2: Inhale and lift your head and tailbone towards the ceiling, arching your back into Cow Pose.
Step 3: Exhale and tuck your chin to your chest, rounding your spine into Cat Pose.
Step 4: Continue to move between Cow and Cat Pose with each inhale and exhale.
Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)
Triangle Pose is a great yoga posture for improving digestion and reducing bloating. This pose also helps to strengthen the legs and reduce tension in the hips.
Step 1: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and extend your arms out to the sides.
Step 2: Inhale and step your right foot back, turning your right foot out to a 90-degree angle.
Step 3: Exhale and reach your left hand towards your left foot, lengthening your right arm towards the ceiling.
Step 4: Keep your back straight and lengthen your spine with each inhale.
Step 5: Hold this pose for several breaths and then switch sides.
Also Read: Yoga For Posture: 4 Exercises To Straighten Up Drooping Shoulders
Seated Forward Bend Pose (Paschimottanasana)
The seated Forward Bend Pose is an excellent yoga posture for improving digestion and relieving constipation. It stretches the muscles in the abdomen and promotes the flow of blood and oxygen to the digestive organs. This pose also helps to calm the mind and reduce stress, which can contribute to digestive problems.
Step 1: Sit comfortably on the floor and extend your legs in front of you.
Step 2: Inhale and lift your arms towards the ceiling.
Step 3: Now exhale and fold forward from the hips, reaching towards your toes.
Step 4: Keep your back straight and lengthen your spine with each inhale.
Step 5: Hold this pose for several breaths, then release.
