Yoga Asanas To Improve Digestion

Do you suffer from acidity, stomach pain, gastric, heavy stomach, constipation or indigestion? If you eat heavy food, it takes a very long time to digest. A heavy meal can lead to acid reflux, constipation or other digestion related problems. You need not to worry; start following yoga, you will definitely get rid of all these digestive problems. There are several health benefits of yoga-asanas. One of the health benefits of yoga is that it helps in digestion and keeps your stomach away from problems like constipation, gas, acidity and stomach pain.

Asanas and pranayama techniques help stimulating the stomach and intestines which in turn increases gastrointestinal circulation and food absorption. Through certain yoga poses your stomach becomes more efficient and is able to properly digest the food and extract all the nutrients present in it.

Here are some yoga asanas which will improve digestion and help you stay away from all stomach related problems.

Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand)

Lie on your back quite flat. Raise your legs slowly. Lift the trunk, hips, and legs vertically. Place both your hands, one on either side. Rest the elbows on the ground. Press the chin against the chest. Allow the back-shoulder portion and neck to touch the ground closely. Keep the legs straight. When the Asana is over, bring the legs down slowly.

Matsyasana (Fish Posture)

Spread a blanket and sit on Padmasana. For padmasana, keep your right foot over the left thigh and the left foot over right thigh. Then lie flat on the back. Once done, release your head slowly and get up with the help of your hands and unlock the Padmasana.

Paschimottanasana

Sit on the ground and stretch your legs. Touch the toes with the thumb, and index and middle fingers. Bend the trunk forward and exhale. Be careful while bending and touching the toes. While bending down, bend the head between your hands. You have to retain the breath till you go back to the original position. Now sit straight and breathe.

Mayurasana (Peacock Pose)

Kneel on the ground and raise the heels up. Join the two forearms together. Place the palms of the two hands on the ground. The two little fingers must be in close opposition. Your thumbs should touch the ground. They should project towards the feet. Now bring down the abdomen slowly against the conjoined elbows. Support your body upon your elbows that are pressed now against the navel. This is the first stage. Stretch
your legs and raise the feet straight on a level with the head, parallel to the ground. This is the second stage.

Vajrasana (The Adamantine Pose)

Fold the left leg and place the toe on the floor. Then, fold the right leg and place the toe on the floor and join the two toes and knees. Your buttocks should be on your feet. Place the palms on the knees. Keep the spine, neck and head straight. Remove the palms from the knees and bring them to the sides. Take out the left leg and straighten it and do the same with the right leg and go back to the sitting position.

Child's Pose (Balasana)

This is one effective yoga asana to improve digestion. Extend your hands and arms forward into pose of the child. Place your buttocks on your heels. Continue to breathe normally without forcing yourself. Rest in this pose for sometime. Inhale and go back slowly to the starting position.

Half boat asana (Ardha Navasana)

Sit on the floor with knees bent and feet on the floor. Keep your palms beside your hips. Lift through the top of the sternum. Lean back and keep your back straight. Lift feet to the height of the knees and arms parallel to the floor, with palms facing each other. Hold the pose for a while. Release down on exhalation and soften all the muscles.

Cat stretch (Marjariasana - Bitilasana)

Kneel on your hands and feet with your knees directly under your hips and the palms under your shoulders. Keep your back horizontal and flat and look at the floor. Lift your tailbone up and allow your spine to follow the movement of the pelvis while you inhale. Dip your spine towards the ground and raise your head up and back. While exhaling, tuck the coccyx down and under, pull your abdominal muscles toward the spine and go back up towards the ceiling, releasing your head slowly towards the ground.

Extended triangle pose (Utthita Trikonasana)

With the feet wide apart, turn the right foot 90 degrees to the right and the left foot slightly to the right. Raise your arms sideways parallel to the floor while inhaling. Now exhale and bend your hips to the right. Stretch the left arm up in line with the right arm. Gaze up at the left thumb. Keep your hips facing squarely forward.

Corpse pose (Shavasana)

It is an effective yoga asana to improve digestion. Lie down on your back. Concentrate on your breathe. Imagine that your whole body is coming into a relaxation mode. Start with your toes and go up to your head, think that every part of your body is getting calmer. Keep breathing slowly. Stay in this position for 30 minutes.