Are you “Regular Enough to advance in your yoga practice?
THE ANCIENT ART OF YOGA HAS BEEN PRACTICED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, YET IT IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR IN OUR MODERN SOCIETY.…
AND FOR GOOD REASON!
Not only do the different practices of asana (physical practices), pranayama (breathing practices) and meditation improve our overall health and well-being, they also help us relax, tune in and cultivate mindfulness, not to mention walk away feeling amazing!
Yoga provides a wide range of health benefits, physically, mentally and emotionally, such as:
● Improved strength
● Increased flexibility
● Toning of both the internal and external body
● Improves posture
● Regulates sleeping patterns
● Stimulates circulation
● Lowers blood pressure
● Calms and relaxes the mind
● Cultivates mindfulness
● Stress management
Another incredibly beneficial aspect of yoga is its ability to stimulate your digestive organs, helping keep your digestive system healthy and functioning at its optimal level.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
If you are one of the millions of people in the world that is living with a digestive condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease, then chances are you are fairly aware of the importance of looking after your gut. Yet, for many of us, the digestive system isn’t really something that gets given much thought, unless something starts to go wrong. Your digestive health plays a key role in not only how you are feeling physically, but also your mental and emotional health as well. Your digestion system plays a leading role in the overall health and well-being of your entire body. Not only is it responsible for converting the foods you eat into the energy needed to feed each and every cell in your body, it also houses about 70% of your immune system. This involves helping keep infectious microorganisms, such as bad bacteria, viruses and fungi at bay. In fact, poor digestion is believed to be the root of most disease in the body! So this means that keeping your digestive system healthy is vital to maintaining good health and wellbeing.
HOW YOGA HELPS
Whether it is yoga asana, pranayama or meditation you practice the most, all aspects of yoga help support a healthy digestive system. Here are four main ways in which yoga can help improve your digestive health:
YOGA ASANA MASSAGES YOUR DIGESTIVE ORGANS -
The different static and dynamic physical practices of asana, as well as many of the breathing techniques of pranayama, all work to massage, stimulate, cleanse, tone and aid the digestive function. Some specific asana, focus on stimulating the digestive process by applying pressure to the different organs of digestion. Whilst others help relieve abdominal tension and are often used to help relieve complaints, such as constipation, gas, bloating and cramps.
Examples of asana that are used to stimulate and tone the digestive organs include:
● Trikonasana (triangle pose)
● Supta Pawanmuktasana (leg lock pose)
● Paschimottanasana (forward bending pose)
● Ustrasana (camel pose)
● Pavanamuktasana (wind relieving pose)
● Mayurasana (peacock pose)
*It is important to note that some asana are contraindicated for specific digestive complaints, so it is always best to check with a qualified and experienced yoga instructor before practicing yoga if you have a health condition.
Cultivates mindfulness - You might not think that mindfulness and digestion have anything to do with each other. Mindfulness is about being consciously aware of how your mind and body are feeling at any given moment, and digestion is a process that happens subconsciously, whether you are aware of it or not, right? However, the first stages of digestion happen as soon as you place the food in your mouth, with chewing, or masticating. Eating mindfully can mean the difference between gulping down mouthfuls of food in a hurry, or slowly taking the time to chew each bite, so that the rest of your digestive system has an easier time of breaking down and processing the nutrients you are ingesting.
Reduces Stress - Stress can play havoc with your digestive system, which is why many people complain that their stomach feels in knots when they are feeling stressed. Yoga helps to alleviate stress on both a physical and emotional level and is an excellent way to help you relax and unwind.
Supports all the other internal systems - Your body is made up of numerous internal systems, including your digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, excretory, nervous and endocrine systems. All these different systems have a symbiotic relationship with each other. If one system is not working at its optimal level, then the rest of your body suffers for it. Yoga works to support the functioning of all the major systems of your body, including your digestive system.
Keeps you regular - Practicing yoga on a regular basis will help keep your digestive system working at its optimal level. The toning and stimulating effects of yoga work to support your digestive function, reducing constipation and other common digestive complaints.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
YOGA WILL HELP IMPROVE YOUR DIGESTIVE HEALTH!
The health of your guts plays an important role in determining your overall health and wellbeing. Even though the odd digestive issue is something we all experience from time to time, some of these problems can linger and lead to more serious conditions. This is why looking after your gut should be an important consideration for everyone. By practicing yoga on a regular basis, you will not only gain the sort after benefits of improving your strength, flexibility and peace of mind, you will also be stimulating and supporting the very foundation for your health and wellbeing.
