Yoga for Digestive Health: How It Can Help with Digestive Issues
Yoga has been found to have a number of benefits for digestive health. Here are some ways that yoga can help with digestive issues:
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Reduces stress: Yoga is a powerful stress-relieving practice that can help to reduce the levels of cortisol, a hormone that can wreak havoc on the digestive system when it is elevated for long periods of time. When cortisol levels are high, the digestive system can slow down, leading to issues such as constipation, bloating, and indigestion. By reducing stress, yoga can help to prevent or alleviate these digestive issues.
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Improves digestion: Many yoga poses involve twisting, stretching, and compressing the abdomen, which can help to improve digestion and stimulate the digestive organs. This can help to increase the flow of digestive juices, promote peristalsis (the movement of food through the digestive tract), and encourage the release of gas.
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Increases circulation: Yoga can also help to increase blood flow to the digestive organs, which can improve their function. Better circulation means that the organs receive more oxygen and nutrients, which can help them to work more efficiently.
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Regulates the nervous system: The practice of yoga can help to regulate the nervous system, which plays a key role in digestive health. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "rest and digest" response, while the sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response. When the sympathetic nervous system is dominant (due to stress, for example), it can slow down digestion and cause issues such as constipation and bloating. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system through yoga, digestion can be improved.
Overall, yoga can be a helpful tool for improving digestive health. Regular practice can help to reduce stress, improve digestion, increase circulation, and regulate the nervous system, all of which can contribute to a healthier digestive system.