by Clarissa Hartley

As we delve into the beneficial realms of yoga, you’ll begin to understand that yoga can be a powerful tool for dealing with common gut health issues. Whether you’re experiencing symptoms of IBS, or simply feeling uncomfortably bloated, yoga provides not just temporary relief but substantial long-term benefits as well. We will explore how you can modify your yoga routine to promote gut health and introduce some of the most effective yoga poses that alleviate IBS symptoms such as bloating, cramping, and constipation.

Approximately 20% of people grapple with IBS, with stress being a dominant trigger of their symptoms. The calming nature of yoga, however, can silence a hectic mind, slow a rapidly beating heart, and facilitate your physical digestion and gut health.

Addressing the Stress-Gut Connection with Yoga

During high-stress situations, your parasympathetic nervous system—responsible for digestion—can falter as your body goes into a “fight or flight” mode. This can result in digestive issues like bloating and constipation. Yoga, with its inherent stress management techniques, could be your ray of hope. Past studies have shown that practicing yoga and meditation can considerably alleviate symptoms in individuals with gastrointestinal disorders. These benefits can last up to three weeks after ceasing weekly yoga sessions.

Alleviating IBS Symptoms with Yoga

Studies suggest that regular yoga sessions can significantly improve the lives of those struggling with IBS and its linked complications. For instance, adolescents with IBS experienced a marked reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms and enhanced control over anxiety after four weeks of daily yoga practice, according to a study out of British Columbia. So if you’re among the millions suffering from IBS symptoms, now might be the time to roll out your yoga mat!

Yoga for Bloating and Flatulence

Certainly not a glamorous topic, but consider that gentle yoga postures can alleviate these issues effectively. Gentle backbends and other poses where you pull your knees close to your stomach can induce a little massage to the colon. Following the release of these poses, blood flow enhances to those areas, thereby reducing bloating.

Yoga’s Role in Bettering Posture

Apart from benefiting your gut, yoga also enhances your posture. Instead of assuming a hunched position that constrains your organs, yoga helps elongate your spine and create room for your organs, boosting the effectiveness of your digestive system. Improved posture also helps prevent and alleviate back pain.

Yoga Poses Essential for Reprieve from IBS Symptoms and Better Gut Health

Let’s take a look at some of the classic yoga poses that can improve your gut health.

Cat and Cow Poses

This pair of poses sequentially extends and compresses your intestines, improving blood flow and aiding in gut health.

Half Gas Release Pose

This position does just as its name implies—an effective technique for minimizing bloating and discomfort.

Lying on your back on your mat, draw your right knee into your ribs, keeping your left leg extended. Maintain this pose for 60 seconds, and then switch legs.

It might be time for you to make yoga a part of your daily routine, taking advantage of its healing and relaxing benefits to improve your gut health.

Yoga for gut health, IBS relief with yoga, managing stress for gut health, improving posture with yoga, yoga poses for gut health