Most stomach issues arise due to an imbalanced digestive fire (Agni) – a topic Ayurveda gives utmost importance to. While diet and Ayurvedic medicines give long-term relief to the issues, it obviously takes time. Meanwhile, yoga can give you faster relief from the symptoms.
Yoga poses for stomach issues
Here are a few yoga poses you can try for your stomach issues:
Uthana Padasana
To do Uthana Padasana pose, you keep your legs stretched at a perpendicular position (at a 90-degree angle) from the ground.
Also called the raised leg pose, Uthana Padasana strengthens the abdominal muscles, improves digestion and relieves digestive problems, such as acidity, constipation and flatulence.
Malasana
To do Malasana pose, you squat down with your feet flat on the ground and your hands together at your chest.
Also called the garland pose, Malasana strengthens your digestive system along with your lower back and hips. This pose is great for improving your metabolism and digestion. It also helps relieve digestive issues.
Pavana Muktasana
To do Pavana Muktasana, lie on your back, hug your knees to your chest and gently rock back and forth.
Also called the wind-relieving pose, Pavana Muktasana helps relieve bloating and gas. This pose is great for constipation, indigestion and other similar stomach problems.
Naukasana
In the Naukasana pose, you lie on your back, lift your legs and upper body off the ground, balancing on your buttocks while extending your arms forward.
Also called the boat pose, Naukasana stimulates the digestive system and helps alleviate constipation, bloating and gas. It also increases the blood flow to the abdomen, thus improving your digestion as well as the health of your internal organs.
Sethubandhasana
To do Sethubandhasana, lie on your back, bend your knees, lift your hips, and hold the pose, like a bridge.
Also called the bridge pose, Sethubandhasana helps stimulate the thyroid gland, which can aid in regulating metabolism and digestion. Relieves stress and anxiety, which can contribute to digestive issues.
Another yoga pose for stomach issues is Kapalabhati Pranayama. It offers long-term relief from stomach issues like gas, bloating and indigestion.
If the issues do not subside, having Ayurvedic preparations like Hingwashtaka churna and lavana bhaskara with buttermilk can help. But first consult your Ayurvedic doctor, as each individual is different and each one of us has a unique state of balance and imbalance.
As the saying goes, “one man’s medicine is another man’s poison” and this is very true about Ayurveda.