Yoga is one of the six orthodox philosophical schools of ancient Indian Philosophy. It traced its origin from the dawn of civilization. It is being believed to be originated in India at about 3000 B.C whose evidence can be found in Indus Valley Civilization seals. However, Yoga Sutra's foundational book on yoga by Patanjali is regarded as the founder of formal yoga philosophy.
A good digestive system is key to radiant health. The autonomic nervous system governs our digestive process, which is largely under our subconscious mind. As we know for the best digestion having the right food is, but one vital role which we often forget is the need for oxygen in breaking down the food in different organs of the body. "More the oxygen more the digestion" as it removes more carbon dioxide from the body. What else is needed? YOGA! Yes, you heard it right. Yoga poses work on tissues and gently removes waste fluid from the body. Also, it stretches the tissue, which gives a new life to the cells. Deep breathing pointed out in yoga poses helps supply more oxygen to the cells and ensure the removal of impurities. While breathing properly, having the right food, chewing food is equally important. Let's have a look at how can we improve our digestive tracts through various yoga asanas:
Also Read: Fight Lethargy with Yoga
Digestion Meditation
- Set yourself in a kneeling asana or relaxed pose and try to form a mental image of your digestive tract.
- Imagine about the gastrointestinal tract in your abdomen and become fully aware of all of its movements and sensations. Use your knowledge of the internal structure of the body to visualize ideal digestion in progress in your body.
- Focus breathing rhythm in the abdomen. Your metabolism will get better with the relaxation and awareness pattern.
- Think about the sun with its centre at your navel, radiating its power throughout the body. Feel its warmth for digesting the food and sending oxygen and nutrients to different parts of your body.
- In the same way, relax your abdomen.
Tadagi Mudra
- With legs outstretched sitting grasp the thighs, shins or big toes with both hands
- Inhale deeply (the chest and abdomen fully expanded)
- Hold the breath and focus on the abdominal muscles (pushed as far forward as possible)
- Exhale by giving relaxation to the stomach
- Repeat this for ten times
Manipura Shuddhi
- Sit in a meditation posture. Use 3 part breath, inhale by using navel and straight back to Manipura chakra, located in the spinal cord
- Hold the breath and repeat seed mantra Ram three times
- Exhale
- Practice this by concentrating on breathing in and out of the navel centre.
Kapalabhati Breathing (Fire Breath)
- Sit in meditating posture with inhaling passively and exhaling forcefully
- Inhale and then exhale through the nose, as if you are trying to remove water from your nostrils or force out a fly sitting on the tip of your nose
- Let the inhale passively enter from the exhale (abdomen region)
- Try it for 20 times (exhale and inhale counts as one round)
Ashwini Mudra
- Sit comfortably in a meditation pose or a comfortable squatting pose
- Contract the anus sphincter muscles for few seconds (without straining) then relax for few seconds
- Inhale contracting and exhale relaxing
- Repeat this mudra for as long as it is comfortable – the contraction and relaxation should be smooth and rhythmic
So, try these fantastic and easy yoga postures to help relax your digestive system by simple breathing yogic technique. Ditch medication for digestion and hold strength from yoga. This one is important as " if the stomach is happy, the soul is happy ".
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