Yoga has several benefits. From overall strengthening of the muscles to easing the mind, yoga stretching is a great exercise to start adding to your daily routine. But did you know that there are yoga poses that help with digestion? If you’re feeling uncomfortable after your last meal, it might be do to bloating, heartburn, gas, or more. Help your body with digestion but doing these gentle yoga positions.
6. Cat-Cow
Cat-cow is an easy pose that stretches the back and the neck, but is also great for helping with digestion. For this pose, come to all fours. Inhale as you lift your chest and allow your belly to release down towards the mat in Cow Pose. As you exhale, press both hands on the mat and start to round your back, drawing your belly towards your spine and tucking your chin into your chest for Cat Pose. Do this flow for ten rounds.
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5. Downward-Facing Dog
If you’ve practiced yoga at all, this might be one of the most recognizable poses. For this, you’ll start in a Plank, with your hands shoulder-distance apart and feet a little wider than hip-distance. Lift your hips up and back. Bend your knees as much as you need to so your spine can lengthen into this pose. From here, take deep breaths, drawing your naval in as you exhale. Do this for ten breaths.
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4. Extended Puppy Pose
Head back to your hands and knees for this pose. Walk your hands forward and lower your chest down towards the mat, resting your forehead on the mat or a block, in Puppy Pose. You’ll want to keep your legs bent at a 90-degree angle and feel the stretch as you breathe. Stay here for ten breaths.
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3. Bridge Pose
An amazing stretch, and one of the best yoga poses that help with digestion, is the Bridge Pose. Lie on your back with your feet flat on the mat. Exhale as you press your feet and arms into the mat, lifting up your hips, with your feet as close to your sitting bones as possible. Stay for ten breaths, then slowly roll your spine down when done.
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2. Half Happy Baby
While you’re still lying on your back, two more gentle yoga poses help with digestion. Half Happy Baby consists of you lying on your back and drawing your bent right knee toward the right side of your ribcage. From here, hold your hand around your right shin or foot and hold. You can also grab a strap to help you hold. Flex your foot and press your leg into the mat, breathing deeply for 1 to 2 minutes before repeating on the other side.
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1. Supine Spinal Twist
One of the best yet gentle yoga poses that helps with digestion is the Supine Spinal Twist, which sees you lying on your back with your feet flat on the mat. Lift your knees and release them to your left side, stretching your right arm straight out to the right side, twisting your body in a deep stretch. Breathe for a couple of minutes before returning to the center and repeating on the other side.