5 Essential Yoga Poses to Aid Better Digestion

Having an effective and regular digestion is essential to your overall health. Here are five poses you can add to your practice to help stimulate your digestive system, help combat constipation and keep a nice flat stomach.

One Legged Down-Dog

(Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana)

In the classic version of this pose your hips should be aligned. In this variation you will be opening up the hip of the extended leg to access a stretch on the lower side of the abdomen.

Start with the right side and hold for 10 breaths and then switch sides.

Lizard Pose

(Utthan Pristhasana)

To properly access your digestive system you have to be able to create some pressure along the side of the abdomen.

In this pose keep your legs active with your front knee moving inwards towards your body and the back heel moving away from the body.

This is also a great stretch for the hips and legs. Practice this first on the right side for 15 breathes and then on the left side to follow the natural direction of your digestive system.

Pigeon Pose

(Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)

Similarly to Lizard in Pigeon Pose the front leg will be used to apply gentle pressure alongside the abdomen to activate the intestinal organs.

Start with your right leg and make sure your knee is right under the right side of your chest. Relax as much as you can and hold for 15 breaths or longer if it feels great.

Repeat this on the other side. 

Seated Twist Pose

(Ardha Matsyendrasana)

Twists are essential to create movement in the belly. Sit on the ground with straight legs and bring your right foot on the outside of your left knee.

Bring your right hand's back palm flat on the ground behind you and wrap your left arm around your right knee.

To create more twist inhale and lengthen your spine, on the exhale use both arms to twist a little more.

Hold for 10 breaths and repeat on the other side.

Squat Pose

(Malasana)

Start by standing with your feet hips width distance apart with your arms long in front of you and sit slowly into your squat.

Try to keep your feet parallel and bring your arms in front of your shins with hands in prayer. Hold for 15-20 breaths.

If it is too hard to keep you heals down use 2 blocks, one under each heal, to make the pose more accessible.

If you don’t have blocks you can use two books of the same height or maybe you can wear your favorite high heals! I never tried that one myself but I feel it would work.