Discomfort in the stomach caused by pressure inside the organ is referred to as bloating
When bloated, your stomach may appear larger and your clothes may feel tighter as a result of this uncomfortable feeling of fullness or tightness. Bloating can be brought on by your eating habits, unusual reactions to food, or specific medical issues.
Certain foods and drinks, as well as eating practices that lead to the accumulation of gasses in the digestive system, are frequently associated with bloating. Yoga asanas have proved to be effective in relieving bloating related discomfort as it engages different muscles of the bodies. Only consistency and hard work will help you solve these issues thus it is advised to perform these asanas regularly.
Yoga Asanas that help with bloating –
1. Apanasana
An easy asana to relieve bloating and gas discomfort is the Apanasana. Put your hands on your knees, relax, and take a deep breath. Then, hug your knees to your chest as you exhale followed by releasing them after remaining like that for 5 to 10 breaths. Repeat a few times.
2. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
This little inversion helps improve blood flow thereby relieving you from feeling bloated.
Performing the asana is also easy. Start by laying down on the floor/mat/ground with your feet flat and your arms by the side. Following that, raise your hips upwards till your body feels like a downward bridge. Hold for a while and repeat as needed/necessary.
3. Anand Balasana
Literally translating to ‘Happy Baby Asana’, performing this might feel a little childish or silly but will relieve even the oldest bloating problems. To perform, lie flat on your back with your knees bent and then put your feet up toward the ceiling while bringing both knees up toward your chest and then bend your knees. As your feet remain extended up toward the ceiling and your legs softly parted, slowly draw your knees closer to the ground. Keep your neck and head firmly planted on the ground while performing and if it feels comfortable, rock back and forth in the position for a few minutes.
4. Uttanasana
Uttanasana or ‘forward fold’ is the easiest asana to do and has been in our regime since childhood. In fact, we perform different versions of this asana everyday while tying our shoelaces, picking up something from the floor or while wearing socks. But for it to help with bloating, start by placing your feet hip-width apart as you stand and ensure your torso is draped across your thighs as you lean forward from the waist. Leave your neck and head hanging.
Then place your hands behind your calves, on top of your shins, or on the floor next to your feet.
Hold this position for a few minutes before rising carefully to your feet.
5. Paschimottanasana
This asana stretches your lower back, hamstrings and hips and further massages and tones the abdominal and pelvic organs. It can also help you relax and relieve the stress affecting your digestion which further leads to bloating or gas issues. To perform, keep your back straight and your toes flexed toward you as you sit up straight with your legs in front. Then stretch upwards while taking a deep breath and raising both arms above your head. Follow it with an exhale and slant forward. Try to maintain a straight spine and concentrate on moving toward your toes rather than down toward your knees.
Repeat it a few times.
