Yoga is a science that views health from a holistic perspective, recognising physical, mental, emotional, and psychological causes for health issues. While diet seems to be the obvious reason for digestive issues, stress is a prime cause for gut dysfunction.
According to Yoga, Pranic Energy (life force), is the energy source for all functions: thinking, moving, digesting etc. The digestive system consumes the maximum energy to function and also converts it for further functions. Digestion actually starts in the mouth and continues until the waste is eliminated. Yogic practices that enhance digestive fire are powerful tools for good digestive and gut health.
How Stress Impacts Digestion and Gut Health
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- Impact on Food Choices: Human-beings have an innate ability to sense what is healthy for their body. Under stress, people make unhealthy food choices. Over time, it disrupts gut health and can lead to diseases. Additionally, multitasking in a fast-paced world results in mindless eating, eating on the go, while working, or watching television. This leads to wrong food choices and inappropriate quantities.
- Impact on Digestive Process: Mindfulness is not only about what to eat but how to eat. When distracted, Pranic energy is diverted away from digestion, leading to a conflict between the brain and the gut over energy. This internal struggle hinders proper digestion and nutrient absorption, resulting in issues like bloating, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhoea etc.
Developing a Healthy Digestive System and Strong Gut
The gut is referred to as the “second brain”. A strong digestive system is key for proper body and mind function, as it converts food into energy for all physiological and psychological processes. A resilient digestive system builds strong immunity, mental clarity, physical strength and productivity.
It is rightly said, “If we don’t consume food as medicine now, we will have to consume medicine as food later,” Food should be consumed in the right quantity, at appropriate intervals, and in the right combinations. Like medicine, improper food intake, over or under dose, can lead to major health issues. Yoga provides powerful tools that help practice mindfulness at physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.
Yoga Practices Helpful in Digestion, Relieving Bloating, and Enhancing Gut Bacteria
- Meditation: A healthy mind is crucial for a healthy gut. Techniques from the Himalayan Tradition that foster mindfulness and enhance digestive fire: Sthithi Dhyaan, Swaas Dhyaan & Surya Prakash Dhyaan.
- Pranayama: As breath carries the pranic energy, channelizing it correctly can help with digestive health: Kapalabhati Shuddhi Kriya, Bhastrika Pranayama, Surya Nadi Shodhan, Surya Bhedi Pranayama, and Anulom Vilom Pranayama.
- Mudra: Regular practice of the following mudras for 5-11 minutes daily can support digestion: Surya Shakti Mudra (sun power mudra), Pushan Mudra (digestion mudra), and Apana Mudra (elimination mudra).
- Asana & Vinyasa: These powerful asanas and vinyasa flows help in maintaining physical health, effective digestion, strong gut: Vajrasana (thunderbolt pose), Malasana (waste evacuation pose), and Surya Namaskar (sun-salutation)
Yoga looks at Digestive and Gut health in a holistic way, and focuses on getting rid of the underlying causes rather than merely symptoms.
It is safe to say that a healthy mind is equally important to having a healthy gut as a healthy, active and fit body. Yoga offers practices for mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health which help in developing and maintaining strong digestive health and overall well-being.
