Yoga for Better Digestion: 6 Asanas That Stimulate Gut Health

In our current world of fast pace, we seem to not be able to keep up with unhealthy eating and chronic stress wreaks havoc on our digestive system. These days, bloating indigestion acidity and sluggish metabolism are epidemics of this modern age. And you really do not need a medicine cabinet to unclog your gut The only requirement is a yoga mat Try these yoga asanas to open up the gut and ensure proper digestion.

This article is authored by Yoga and spiritual leader Himalayan Siddhaa AksharAuthor, Columnist, Founder at Akshar Yoga Kendraa.

6 Simple Daily Yoga Poses for Gut Health

1. Pavanamuktasana (Wind-Relieving Pose)

Benefits: This pose looks as it names suggest and really will help to release gas in the intestines which lessens bloating and associated abdominal ache.

How to do it:

• Lie on your back clasp both knees towards your chest.
• Arms going in towards hug them, press them to belly.

Lie down fold your knees to your stomach and inhale 5–10 times, head to knees

 2. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose)

Benefits: This twist on the spine press and massages various abdominal organs, greatly aids digestion and detoxification.

How to do:

• Cross your right leg behind the left leg and sit with legs straight. 
• Place your right hand in back / rotate body to the right doing a spinal twist using your left elbow on top of right knee.
• Hold for 5–8 breaths and on the other side.

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 3. Setsu Bandhasana (Bridge pose)

Benefits: Stimulate stomach organs; combat constipation and strengthen blood supply via the digestive system.

How to do it:

• Lie on your back with knees bent and feet just under hip width.
• Press down into your feet and lift your hips up
• Interlace fingers behind your back and hold for 5 breaths

4. Marjaryasana-Bitilasana (the Cat-Cow Pose)

Benefits: Gentle massage of the abdominal organs, opens up the spine and flexes spine, stimulate digestion.

How to do it:

• From table top
• Inhale and hollow back ( cow) raise the head, tailbone 
• Exhale, curve spine (cat) bring chin to chest 
• Hold for 1-2 mins with deep abdomen breathing

5. Balasana (Child's Pose)

Benefits: Tension in the belly, relaxes the nervous system, breathe from the heart

How to do it:

• Back-seat with feet and hands on the seat.
• Arm reach forward or place them by your body.
• Stay in this posture for 1-3 minutes focusing on your belly breathing

6.Trikonasana (Triangle ) 

Benefits: opens up the muscles of the torso, helping to relieve tension in the torso and stimulate digestion.

How to do it: 

• Stand with feet out wide
• (Vector guide) Extensions on another leg -- stretch arms out, reach back to your shin/foot.

In: Up and breathe deeply inhaling, extending the opposite arm out

A Way of Living, not a Quick Fix

The poses offer quick fixes but deeper rewards from daily practice. Even 15–20 mins a day can help digestion, fights the stress and balances your gut So the next time you feel queasy after a meal, don’t go running for antacid. Instead, reach your mat.

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