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Yoga & The Digestive System: The All Natural Path To A Healthy Digestive Tract
We all know the discomfort and general misery that comes from tummy troubles. In fact, medical researchers have found that what goes on in our digestive tract has such a big impact on how we feel because the gut and the brain are made up of the same type of cells—that’s why the abdominal area is sometimes called the “second brain.” As a result, when the stomach feels bad, we feel like crud. You can find relief, however, in the ancient Indian practice of yoga.
In fact, experts in ayurveda, a sister practice to yoga that emphasizes natural wellness, say that digestion is one of the pillars of good health. (The other two pillars are rest and sex.) As a result, all those “ohms” and stretches aren’t only ideal for building toned muscles and nurturing relaxed minds, they’re also good for the gut. Here are some of the ways yoga can relieve and, sometimes, eliminate digestive problems—and help you reclaim your life.
Banish The Burn
Whether that inner burn is caused by a not-so-healthy meal or the pressures of a growing baby, you know how uncomfortable heartburn can be. The good news is that you may not need to turn to pricey over-the-counter or prescription drugs to banish this unpleasant digestive problem.
Several yoga poses are well-known for their ability to relieve heartburn. Yoga teachers often recommend simple relaxation poses, such as corpse pose, for alleviating the burn. Other recommended postures include warrior 2 and triangle, which both open up the chest and abdomen, lifting the esophagus and reducing reflux. Your yoga instructor, DVD, or book may have additional recommendations for burn-banishing postures.
Keep in mind that some poses, such as inversions and forward bends, can aggravate heartburn, so you might want to avoid them if reflux is a common problem for you.
Relax The Aches Away
Stress is a notorious trigger for so many digestive ills, such as indigestion and reflux. Yogic breathing and meditation techniques can become a must-have tool in your battle against abdominal twinges, aches, and pains. When you learn to relax, you can relieve—and even prevent—digestive problems.
If you suffer from a more serious gastrointestinal ailment, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) or Crohn’s disease, relaxation can be an important part of your treatment plan. Yoga practice has been clinically shown to reduce stress and the muscle tension that comes with it. By adding yoga to your routine, you can reduce the stress that triggers painful flare-ups.
Beat The Bloat
Some poses, like forward bends, are ideal for releasing trapped gases that cause uncomfortable bloating. Yes, that means that you might expel some gas during your postures—but don’t let yourself get red in the face about it. Rest assured that others in the class will be doing the same thing. After the poses have relieved the bloating you’ll not only feel better, chances are your pants will fit better, too.
Kick Out Constipation
Poor diet. Medications. Lack of exercise. No matter what the cause, constipation can make doing everyday things uncomfortable. Instead of turning to heavy laxatives—which often have unpleasant side effects—consider adding yoga to your daily routine. Poses such as upward- and downward-facing dog and boat pose are all well known for their ability to strengthen the abdominal muscles and organs, which boosts proper digestion and gets things moving through your system.
It’s not just about poses either. Yoga instructors can share a variety of breathing techniques (pranayama) that relieve constipation by massaging the intestinal tract and eliminating binding toxins from the entire digestive system.
Build Awareness
Yoga is a Sanskrit word meaning “union”—a union of the body, mind, and spirit. By practicing yoga postures and meditation, you’ll begin to understand that the body is actually an integrated system designed to work in harmony. That realization helps many students become more aware of those nasty habits that actually harm the body and the digestive tract. For example, regular yoga practice may make you less likely to wolf down that giant-sized hamburger that inevitably triggers indigestion. When you make better choices about what goes into the body, it will reward you with a healthy digestive system.
Take Back Your Life Today
Yoga is an all-natural way to relieve those tummy troubles, no matter what they are. Remember, if you’re just getting back into a workout routine, don’t dive right into a power yoga class. Instead, combat digestion problems by looking for a gentle form that combines postures and meditation. Try styles like Kripalu yoga, Inyegar yoga, or Integral yoga to help restore digestion.
It’s time to stop allowing your digestive tract to dictate how you live your life. Relieve or eliminate symptoms by finding a yoga center, CD, DVD, or book. Take back your digestive tract—and your life—now.
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