Yoga for Digestion

Christmas, and the holidays in general, are a time for cheer, good will, and severe gastric pressure. All that food in the tummy can make taking a good, deep breath about as easy as reconciling all that family.

What's a yogini to do? Well, besides being more aware of portions and taking more time to savor each bite (as opposed to engaging in full-blown eating competitions), there's some gentle stretches that should help the food go through a bit easier.

We're in the final stretch here, kiddos. I bet you'll be missing it all before you know it, so enjoy it now!

Yoga for Digestion

After the practice, and first thing in the morning, enjoy a cup of warm lemon water. The warm water helps for digestion and also lubricates joints. Plus, it just feels nice luxurious.

1. Start practice lying on back
2. Supta Pavana Muktasana (Reclined Wind Relieving Pose)
3. Take knee out to side for gentle hip opener
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on other side
5. Supta Balasana (Reclined Child's Pose). Draw both knees into chest
6. Release legs to lie straight
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6
8. Garbasana (Child's Pose)
9. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose). Come into "Baby Cobra," working up to full expression
   
10. Lower from Cobra until forehead rests on floor. Raise back. Move between two positions with breath
11. Ardha Salabhasana (Half Locust). Repeat other side
12. Move between both legs in Half Locust. It should look a bit like a swimming kick
13. Salabhasana (Locust Pose)
14. Take hands under knees and roll on back
15. Roll up to seated
    
16. Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Fold)
17. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
18. Trikonasana (Triangle Pose). Probably should be gentle in this one...
19. Repeat on other side
20. Come back to first side for Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
21. Repeat on other side
22. Kaliasana (Goddess Pose)
23. Pavana Muktasana (Standing Wind Relieving Pose)
24. Vrksasana (Tree Pose)
25. Repeat steps 24 and 25 on other side
26. Dandasana (Staff Pose)
    
27. Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle)
28. Mandukasana (Frog Pose)
29. Take arms towards one side. Repeat on other
30. Roll onto back, and roll on back (see steps 14)
31. Savasana
    
32. Nadi Shodna Pranayama (Alternate Nostil Breath)