Yoga For Bloating

Many of us are familiar with the uncomfortable feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen called bloating. It is often accompanied by discomfort, flatulence, and abdominal pain. There may be wide variety of reason why one may suffer from occasional or frequent bloating including eating too quickly or too much which results in swallowing excess air, food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, high sodium intake, frequent consumption of carbonated drinks, diet rich in foods with high oligosaccharides or other underlying medical conditions.

Whatever the cause, bloating can lead to more than just socially awkward situations. Yoga can be a great way to alleviate bloating and flatulence. Several Yoga asanas or poses are beneficial in treating this condition because:

• Certain poses stimulate the digestive organs hence improving digestion.
• There are poses which help relieving trapped gas and constipation by promoting bowel movements.
• Yoga also helps in managing stress, which can exacerbate bloating, by breathing and relaxation techniques.
• Yoga aids in improving overall gut health which is essential for digestion and reducing bloating.
• Yoga promotes hormonal balance which can impact bloating especially during menstruation or menopause.

In this video Swami Ramdev shares five Yoga poses to relive stomach digestive issues.

5 Yoga Poses for Stomach Problems | Swami Ramdev (youtube.com)

1. Pawanmuktasana (wind-relieving pose): Lay down on the back with arms on the side. Breath in and bring both knees to the chest by gently wrapping the hands around. Exhale while lifting the head and chest and touching the nose to the knees. Hold the position for a few breaths and then exhale while coming back to the ground and relax.
2. Uttanpadasana (raised leg pose): While in the lying down position, bring your palms under the hips. Inhale deeply and raise both legs above the ground at 30-degree elevation while keeping the knees straight. Hold the position for a few breaths and then exhale while coming back to the ground and relax.
3. Naukasana (boat pose): Lay down on the back with arms besides your body. Take a deep breath in and while exhaling, lift your chest and feet off the ground while stretching the hands towards your feet. Feet should remain together in this pose. Hold the position for a few breaths and then exhale while slowly coming back to the ground and relax.
4. Padangustha nasa’s parshashnanasana (reclining nose to toes pose): Lie down on the back with legs straight and arms on the side. Now fold the right leg and wrap both hands around it such that the fingers are interlocked. Raise your upper body and touch the nose to the big toe. Hold the position for a few breaths and then release the grip and bring the leg back to the ground. Repeat with left leg.
5. Repeat the above asana with both the legs together.

Remember that while Yoga is beneficial in providing relief from bloating and gas, it is essential to address the underlying causes such as diet, lifestyle, stress or medical conditions to gain long-term results.