Yoga to Promote Digestion, by Michelle Chua

It's important to remember that digestion is multi-faceted.  We humans are constantly digesting life through all of our senses, consuming not only food but all kinds of news and media, and the situations that arise daily.  How do you take in the nourishment, ie. nutrients or knowledge, from whatever you're currently digesting and shed the waste that no longer serve your well-being?  This is a constant part of the yoga practice identified in the first limb of yoga and is called aparigraha, defined as non-attachment and ability to let life flow. (Read more about the 8 Limbs of Yoga here.)

In this article, you'll find three pre-recorded yoga practices of various lengths, in which I guide you through ways to promote digestion physically, mental-emotionally and energetically, and an additional resource that shares the perspective of a Colon Hydrotherapist.  

First, here's a recent Guided 1-hour Gentle Yoga Session to Promote Digestion Mentally and Physically:

Secondly, here's a shorter 22-minute yoga practice, which includes postures, breathwork and a visualization meditation taught at a 2017 Yoga for Digestion Workshop I co-facilitated, called Nourish.

Lastly, through the understanding of the 7 Chakras, or main energy centers in your body, learn to balance energy through your solar plexus energy center, or manipura chakra.  This is responsible for digestion and includes your inner fire of willpower to protect your core values and shed the unnecessary, releasing stagnancy in different aspects of your life to continue evolving and aligning with your life's purpose. 

​Here's a 16-minute guided Yoga practice with breathwork and meditation from our 28-day online class series, Daily Yoga Habit:

For additional holistic perspective on promoting healthy digestion, check out this interview with Colon Hydrotherapist Monisha Garner.  In this two-part conversation, If Your Poop Could Talk, find out about the key role your digestion plays in overall wellness, especially immune system function, and learn daily wellness practices to optimize your health.  

I hope you find these resources helpful in nourishing and purifying your mind, body and spirit.  Remember, that digestion begins even before your mouth receives that first bite or your senses receive  stimuli.  Through the awareness that yoga cultivates, be proactive about the stimuli you choose to surround yourself with, including the foods you give yourself ready access to.  May we all be nourished, release what we don't need to carry on this journey anymore and thrive!

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About the Author

Michelle Chua is a lover of dance, delicious vegan food and nature.  A Registered 500-hour Yoga Alliance Teacher, she has been guiding yoga retreats in California and abroad and weekly yoga classes in Los Angeles and online since 2010.  LEARN MORE...