3 Must-Try Positions for Better Digestion in July: Ease Your Evenings!

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By : Doyle Renner

Yoga Poses to Enhance Digestion

Feeling bloated, heavy, or experiencing disturbed sleep after dinner is a common issue. Fortunately, a few gentle and simple yoga poses can make a significant difference in alleviating these symptoms, helping your stomach feel lighter and more serene.

Yoga’s Role in Digestive Health

When you struggle with digestion after a meal, it can interfere with your sleep quality, leaving you tired and lethargic the next day. However, skipping meals isn’t the most advisable solution. Instead, practicing specific yoga poses can provide relief and promote better digestion.

Yoga expert Clairisse Nénard suggests several poses that are particularly effective:

  • Seated Twist: Sit with your legs extended. Bend your right leg and place your right foot outside your left knee. Keep your back straight, place your left arm against your right knee and your right arm behind you on the ground. Gently turn your torso to the right, following with your head if possible. Deeply breathe in and out, then switch sides. This twist massages the digestive organs like the liver, pancreas, and intestines and boosts blood circulation. An alternative is the reclining version: with bent knees falling to one side, arms open, and head turned the opposite way.
  • Cobra Pose: Lie on your stomach with legs extended and feet together. Place your hands flat under your shoulders, elbows close to your body. While inhaling, slowly lift your upper body, keeping your pelvis grounded. Maintain a forward gaze to protect your neck, breathe deeply for a few moments, then gently lower yourself while exhaling. This pose opens up the chest, relaxes the stomach, and stimulates both digestion and the thyroid. For further exploration, try the half-bridge or camel pose, then release into the child’s pose.
  • Forward Bend (Pince): Sit with your legs extended in front of you. Inhale and keep your back straight, then gently lean forward from your hips, not your back. Extend your arms to reach your calves, ankles, or feet, without straining. The goal is a gentle stretch, maintaining smooth breathing. This pose stimulates internal organs like the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and ovaries. A standing variant is also possible: slightly bend the knees if needed, place hands on the ground, or wrap them around your legs for a massaging effect.

    Dietary Tips for Improved Digestion

    Digestion varies from person to person; what feels comfortable for one might be uncomfortable for another. While eating slowly and chewing thoroughly are basic tips, they might not be enough for everyone. Nicolas Aubineau, a nutritionist, notes that individual sensitivity plays a significant role in digestion. He advises moderating the intake of meats, fried, fatty, and especially processed foods. Increasing the consumption of natural, raw vegetables is also recommended.

    Aubineau suggests avoiding heavy meals and eating dinner two to three hours before bedtime to optimize digestion. To prevent overeating in the evening, he recommends having a balanced afternoon snack that includes fruits, raw vegetables, dark chocolate, and protein-rich nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds for those with a sweet tooth.

    Through these yoga practices and dietary adjustments, you can significantly improve your digestion and overall well-being.

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