Practice these Yoga poses to Improve Digestion

Acidity, heartburn, bloating, constipation, and other such stomach related problems are something that not only make you uncomfortable from within, but from the outside also, literally! Your face says it all when things don’t ‘move’ the way they should, making you feel like a little too weighed down. Well, Yoga has some amazing solution to these common yet appalling gastrointestinal agonies.

Check out 5 best yoga poses for better digestion

Sarvangasana

Why it’s effective: This pose relieves acidity, heartburn, and constipation.

How to do:

Lie on your back. In a single movement, lift your legs, hips, and back so that you come up high on your shoulders. Support your back with the hands. Bring your elbows closer towards each other, and move your hands along your back, near the shoulder blades. Keep straightening the legs and spine. Support your weight on your shoulders and upper arms. The legs should be straight, and the toes should be pointing up. Keep breathing deeply and stay in the posture for 30-60 seconds. Lower the knees to forehead and lower the hands to the floor, palms facing down. Without lifting the head, slowly bring your spine down inch by inch completely to the floor. Lower the legs to the floor. Relax for a minimum of 60 seconds.

Parsvaika pada sarvangasana

Why it’s effective: This pose relieves constipation and tones the kidneys.

How to do:

The lower leg in this pose rests sideways in line with the trunk. Exhale and move the right leg down and sideways to the floor until it is in line with the trunk. Keep the right leg straight and stiff and do not bend it at the knee. If not possible to touch the floor, lower the leg as far as possible. The left leg is vertically up and should be kept straight and not allowed to tilt to the right. Remain in this pose for 20 seconds with normal breathing and go back to sarvangasana.  Repeat with the other leg.

Parsva Halasana

Why it’s effective: This asana exercises the colon which is inverted during the movement. The bowel movement is regularized and people with chronic constipation derive great benefit from this asana.

How to do:

Place the palms on the back of the ribs. Move both legs as far as you can to the left. Tighten both knees, raise the trunk up with the help of the palms and stretch the legs. Remain in this position for half a minute with normal breathing. Exhale and move the legs to the right till they are in line with the head and hold the pose for half a minute. The chest and trunk should not be moved.

Uttanasana

Why it’s effective: This asana cures stomach pain, strengthens liver, spleen, and kidneys.

How to do:

Stand in straight position, exhale and bend forward and place fingers on the floor, place the palms on the floor by the side of the feet, behind the heels. Do not bend the legs at the knees. Try to hold the head and stretch the spine. Exhale, move the trunk close to the legs, and rest the head on the knees. Inhale and raise the head from the knees without lifting the palms from the floor. After two breaths, take a deep inhalation, lift the hands from the floor, and come back to standing position or Tadasana.

Dhanurasana

Why it’s effective: It helps in creating pressure in the abdomen, lengthens digestive cavity and improves digestion.

How to do:

Known as Bow pose, this asana improves the flexibility around arms and legs where you’re supposed to lie flat on your stomach, bend your knees and bring your legs towards your head. Try to reach your hands towards the ankles by lifting your shoulders and breathe in and out.

Yoga along with a healthy lifestyle helps create a balance we all want to achieve—a perfect body, a healthy mind and a healthy internal system. With healthy digestive system, you can experience  holistic wellness and a realistic change in your lifestyle! Happy International Yoga Day!