Yoga Poses To Aid Digestion

Over indulged a little through the holiday season and feeling a little sluggish and a bit bloated? I hear you!

A fantastic meal at any time of the year is always great but sometimes rich, spicy or exotic food can wreak havoc on our digestive system and put our stomachs in a bit of a spin.

Other than drinking lots of water and detoxing (if that’s your thing) yoga is a great way to calm your digestive system and gently massage your internal organs so you feel less sluggish and revitalized.

Here are four easy yoga poses that can help improve your digestion.

1, Apanasana (knees to the chest pose)

• Lie on your back on your yoga mat and place your feet on the floor so your feet are directly beneath your knees.
• On an inhale place your hands on your knees. On the exhale, hug your knees to your chest and stay here for 5 breaths.

2. Simple Spinal Twist

• Lie on your back and hug both your knees to your chest
• Stretch your arms out wide and keeping your legs bent and knees together, drop them over to your right side
• Push your left shoulder down into your mat and lengthen your lower back and turn your head slightly to the left but only if it feels comfortable to do so.
• Repeat on the other side.

3. Marichyasana (Seated Twist)

For an alternative to the spinal twist you can also try the seated twist.

• Begin seated with your legs together and stretched out in front of you
• Flexing your feet and placing your palms flat on the floor, hug your arms to your sides and roll your shoulders back.
• Keeping your left leg straight, bend your right knee, keeping your foot flat on the floor.
• On the inhale sit up tall and reach up with your left arm.
• On the exhale, twist toward the right and drop your left arm to the outside of your right thigh so your hugging your thigh.
• Then bend your left elbow and point your fingertips up to the sky
• Roll your shoulders back opening your chest and lifting from your lower back
• Now repeat on the other side.

Balasana (Child’s Pose)

• Sitting on the heels of your feet, fold your torso over your thighs and rest your forehead on the floor in front of you.
• Stretch your arms out in front of you or by your sides (wherever you feel comfortable) and stay here for a few breaths.