Our digestive fire (Agni) is the base of all our vital functions. Good digestion can uplift our physical, mental, and emotional health. When you understand and listen to your gut, you understand yourself more. Hence it is very essential to maintain a healthy, happier gut. A balanced diet becomes complete only when the digestion, absorption and assimilation occur smoothly. Regular yoga practice resolves digestive problems and ensures gut health. Yoga poses that apply pressure, compression or simply stretch the abdominal region bring improved blood circulation. This in turn enhances better functioning of digestive organs and thereby ensures gut health. The following yoga poses given below are recommended for a happier gut.
- Vajrasana Pose:
Although it is a simple kneeling pose, the benefits are immense. With its amazing benefits, this pose is also called thunderbolt pose and diamond pose. This asana is said to stimulate vajra nadi, thereby helping in digestive problems.
How to perform?
Sit in Tadasana pose. First bend the right leg and place right feet below right buttocks and left feet below left buttocks. Gently raise your hip and sit in the space between the feet. As you will be holding this position for a long time, a comfortable seating to be ensured.
The ideal time for this pose is soon after intake of meals. As research studies suggest that holding this pose after meals aid in better digestion. In the beginning one should try to maintain the posture for a duration of 30-50 seconds. To yield more benefits, vajrasana pose should be held for 5-10 minutes. This pose Improves blood circulation in the abdominal area.
- Agni Mudra:
As the name itself suggests, Agni mudra helps in igniting our digestive fire. Agni mudra activates the manipura chakra (the chakra located in the navel region, at umbilicus). This mudra reduces the Prithvi element and increases the agni element of the body. Agni mudra thus has the power to influence digestion, metabolism, and energy level of the body. When agni mudra is held for a longer period, one can feel its power by observing the increase in body heat.
How to perform?
Sit in any meditative posture such as vajrasana or padmasana. Keep the spine straight. Fold the ring finger and cover it with the thumb, so that the tip of the ring finger touches the base of the thumb. Keep the other fingers straight. Place your palms facing upwards on the respective thigh. Hold the agni mudra in both hands for a duration of 10-15 minutes. Furthermore, holding this mudra facilitates proper bowel movements and reduces gas formation.
- Paschimottansana (forward bend pose)
This sitting posture has amazing benefits over the digestive system. Regular practice of this pose regulates functioning of all digestive organs.
How to perform?
Sit in tadasana. Slowly, raise both arms to horizontal level. Then raise it further and extend it above your head. Then slowly bend your body forward and try to hold your toes with your respective hands. This pose creates a compression over the abdominal area and thereby benefits the abdominal organs. This asana helps in activating the digestive system and facilitates better metabolism.
- Kapalabhathi
Kapalabhathi is a cleansing technique having multitude of benefits. Passive inhalation and active exhalation are the process.
How to perform?
Start by taking a deep inhalation. Then do continuous active exhalation. The exhalation is forced with the help of abdominal muscles. This breathing technique has a greater impact on the abdomen and pelvic area. Recent studies state that kapalabhathi may help in regulating endocrine and metabolic processes. Regular practice of kapalabhathi relieves acidity and helps in Better nutrient absorption.
- Sasankasana
Sasankasana improves blood flow to the intestinal area and thereby ensures better digestion. This pose tones the abdominal muscles and helps in keeping the digestive system healthy.
How to perform?
Sit in vajrasana. Then, widen the knees and place both hands in between the knees. Then slowly bend your body downwards, sliding your hands through the ground. In the final posture, your chin touches the ground. Hold the posture for a few seconds. This pose helps in maintaining the body mass index.
Good nutrition creates health in all areas of our existence. Nutrition can build and sustain your body only with proper metabolism. The above-mentioned yogic practices have a direct as well as indirect role on metabolism. A good metabolism helps in better absorption and assimilation of nutrients.
Adopting good nutrition is a lifestyle change. So, commit and get ready for the change.
Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Put them together and
you have got a kingdom.
-Jack Lalanne
