Yoga for Better Digestion

Pavanamuktasana (Wind Relieving Pose)

We've all heard the old saying,  “You are what you eat”.   And while this is generally true, I now believe it's not the whole story.  Many eastern approaches to health and wellness believe that a healthy digestive system is the cornerstone to healthy living.

You probably have a friend who eats whatever she wants and never gains weight or ever complain of symptoms of indigestion like bloating, gas, or heartburn.  While another friend or perhaps yourself seems to eat a healthy and balance diet and constantly experience the discomforts of indigestion.  What’s up with that? 

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Digestion

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The teachings of Ayurveda would say it’s all about digestion.  Ayurveda is the sister science to yoga and an ancient and wholistic healing tradition. Ayurveda teaches that it's not only what we eat that determines the quality of our health and well-being but how well we digest what we take in. 

  "Even nectar can be poisonous if our digestion is weak and poison can become nectar if our digestive power is strong ." - Ayurvedic Saying

This applies to the physical digestion of food as well as for our life experiences, and emotions. But we'll leave that for another post.

A healthy digestive system breaks down what we ingest, absorbs the nutrients , convert it into energy, and eliminate the rest.  But often our digestive system functions less than optimal.  Which leave us feeling sluggish , bloated,  and uncomfortable.

So, we are also what we digest.  

Digestion discomforts usually come in two varieties.  One is from having too much digestive fire which takes the form of indigestion, acid reflux, and heart burn.  On the other hand, when our digestive fire is weak, we often experience constipation, excess gas, and bloating.  

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What to Do?

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According to the teachings of Ayurveda, there are simple and practical lifestyle choices that supports healthy digestion.  Here's a list of some of them to gently and gradually bring harmony to your digestive system:

1. Eat whole, real, and seasonal food 
2. Relax, eat slowly, and chew your food thoroughly
3. Sip on warm water with lemon and/or ginger or hot tea through out the day, including with meals
4. Avoid ice-cold beverages with your meal
5. Eat your largest meal at lunchtime, preferably before 2 pm 
6. Eat a light dinner, preferably before 8 pm
7. Take a 15 minute walk after eating
8. Get regular exercise
9. Practice yoga
   

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Why Yoga? 

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A well-rounded and consistent yoga practice can do wonders for digestive health.  The yoga asanas and breathing exercises can be utilized to address specific digestive woes.  

This week’s yoga practice is designed to address constipation, bloating and excess gas in the system.  Right from the beginning of the practice, we tap into the healing power of the breath with deep breathing to stimulate and soothe the digestive organs.  

The practice consists of two forward bends and one twist to calm the nervous system, cleanse,  and stimulate the digestion process.   The reclining backbend, included in the practice is to cool the system and relieve pressure.  This pose, supta baddha konasana, can be helpful with relieving indigestion, acid reflux, and heart burn after eating. The poses and techniques included in the practice are:

• Dirgha Pranayama-  3 Part Breath/Complete Yogic Breath
• Pavanamuktasana - Wind Relieving Pose
• Dandasana - Staff or Stick Pose
• Marichyasana - Spinal Twist Pose
• Sputa Baddha Konasana - Reclining Bound Angle Pose
• Uttanasana - Standing Forward Bend Pose
• Inverted V Meditation
  

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Your Daily Challenge:

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1. Watch the video.
2. Practice the poses and techniques as instructed.
3. Post a photo in the Facebook Group of you doing one of the poses OR of you on your yoga mat.
4. When posting your photo share how the practice made you feel.

You can practice the sequence anytime throughout the day that's convenient.  

Remember to allow 3-4 hours after a large meal and 2 hours after a light meal before practicing yoga.    Enjoy!