4 Yoga Poses To Aid Digestion

After a heavy meal there is a feeling of fullness and tightness in the abdomen which may cause abdominal pain. Practising yoga improves digestion by increasing blood flow to your digestive tract and twisting poses compress and massage your internal organs, which help relieve bloating and gas.

# Apanasana

This asana is also known as the ‘wind relieving pose’. It not only helps to release the build-up of gas and improve digestion but also helps in detoxifying the entire system.

- Lying on your back, bring your arms out to the sides with the palms facing down in a T position. Bend the right knee and place the right foot on the left knee
- Exhale and drop the right knee over to the left side of your body, twisting the spine and lower back
- Gently push your right knee using your left hand to touch the ground
- Make sure your right arm is extended out to the side at shoulder height
- Breathe and hold for 6-10 breaths
- To release, inhale and roll the hips back to the floor, and exhale the leg back down to the floor. Repeat the same process on the other side.

# Supta Matsyendrasana

Also known as the Spinal Twist, this pose is great for digestion as it helps your blood flow through your body, especially your gut.

- Lying on your back, bring your arms out to the sides with the palms facing down in a T position. Bend the right knee and place the right foot on the left knee
- Exhale and drop the right knee over to the left side of your body, twisting the spine and lower back
- Gently push your right knee using your left hand to touch the ground
- Make sure your right arm is extended out to the side at shoulder height
- Breathe and hold for 6-10 breaths
- To release, inhale and roll the hips back to the floor, and exhale the leg back down to the floor. Repeat the same process on the other side.

# Malasana

Also known as the Garland Pose, it is good for digestion as it helps you release all the gas out of your system that is blocking your intestines from functioning normally.

- Begin in the Mountain Pose (Tadasana), with your feet slightly wider than hip distance apart
- Bend your knees deeply, sinking down until your hips are lower than your knees, a few inches off the floor
- Bring your palms together at heart center and wedge your elbows one at a time, to the inside of your knees
- Push your elbows into your knees to open your hips and gently press the inside of your knees into your elbows
- Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to a minute
- To get out of the pose, either sit back onto your buttocks or push back up to standing

# Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

Also known as the Bridge Pose, it will open up your gut, allowing blood to flow smoothly and subsequently, will help relieve bloating and pain.

- Lying on your back, place your feet flat on the floor
- Fold your knees and keep your feet hip-distance apart on the floor, 10-12 inches from your pelvis, with knees and ankles in a straight line
- Keep your arms beside your body, palms facing down
- On inhalation, press the back of your shoulders and your feet into the floor and lift your hips up
- Lengthen your tailbone, slide your shoulder blades down your back and keep your neck neutral
- Keep your bottom firm up in this pose; Keep your thighs and feet parallel
- Hold the pose at the top for 30 seconds each time before releasing
- To come out of the pose, release the arms and roll your spine down while breathing out .