5 yoga poses you ought to practice daily to gaslight indigestion
The quality of our digestion is the key to health. If digestion is slow and imbalanced, the body is more vulnerable to disease–not to mention uncomfortable due to gas, bloating, constipation, and the like.
Your digestive system is responsible for processing not only all your food, but also all of your daily emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Most colds and other illnesses are believed to be caused by energy imbalances beginning in the digestive tract.
Thankfully, much like everything else, yoga can also help aid your digestion process.
In fact, kundalini yoga talks about a sequence of poses that supports ideal digestion by increasing energy at the navel point and keeping the digestive organs strong and flexible.
So, here are 5 yoga poses that you must include in your daily practice for better digestion:
1. Agni pran or breath of fire pose
*Sit cross-legged with your index fingers and thumbs touching each other and rest of the fingers pointing straight.
*Close your eyes. Focus at your third eye at the root of your nose.
*Breathe rapidly and rhythmically through your nose with your mouth closed.
*To exhale, expel air powerfully through your nose by pressing your navel point back toward your spine.
*To inhale, relax your upper abdomen and allow breath to come easily. Your inhalation should be equal in length and strength to your exhale. Keep your chest relaxed and slightly lifted throughout the cycle.
2. Pawanmuktasana or embryos pose
*Lie on your back.
*Bend your legs and bring your knees to your chest.
*Wrap your arms around your knees.
*Raise your head and bring your nose between your knees. Breathe normally.
*To release the pose, straighten your back and put your head on the ground. Slowly keep your hands by your side and bring your legs to the ground.
3. Paripurna navasana or boat pose
*Lie on your back and place your heels together. Pointing your toes forward, lift your heels six inches off the ground.
*Raise your head, eyes focused on your toes.
*Stretch your arms, bringing them parallel to the floor. Point your fingertips toward your toes.
*Contract your abdominal muscles and relax your shoulders. Begin agni pran or breath of fire.
*To release, rest your arms on the sides, place your heels on the floor, and lie down gently.
4. Sitali pranayama or cooling breath pose
*Sit in a comfortable position, keeping your spine straight.
*Roll your tongue and extend it slightly past your lips.
*Inhale deeply and smoothly through your tongue and mouth.
*Exhale through your nose.
5. Sat Kriya
*Sit on your heels with your knees together.
*Stretch your arms over your head with elbows straight, until your arms hug the sides of your head. Interlace all of your fingers except your index fingers.
*Stay firmly seated on your heels and keep your spine straight throughout the kriya.