4 Yoga Poses for Constipation Relief

If you’ve been feeling bloated and backed up when using the toilet lately, it might be time to consider an unconventional solution: yoga. Like taking the proper amounts of probiotics, it’s a safe and effective, all-natural solution for constipation relief. 

Please note that for serious digestive illnesses, you’re better off seeing a gastroscopy expert. But for simple relief, we think it’s worth giving these 4 yoga poses for constipation a try.

The Cobra 

If you’ve ever taken part in yoga classes before, you might recognize this ubiquitous yoga pose. 

The Cobra pose is a simple one that doesn’t require your torso to twist or your legs to lunge. Nevertheless, it’s an effective pose that can help you get rid of those gassy feelings in your stomach.

The secret is in really engaging your stomach muscles when you lie flat on it with your palms on either side of your shoulders. When you lift your upper body and curl your neck backwards, hold the pose for a couple of breaths before going back to the original position.

It’s a good pose that, when combined with a mostly vegetarian diet for added fibre, can keep constipation at bay.

The Inversion 

The inversion pose is not just done by yogis and yoginis, but also those taking up ballet and other styles in dance classes. It’s a simple pose that has both legs up against the wall with the lower back on the floor.

It helps improve the digestive system while relieving gas. It’s considered one of the most effective poses if you’ve been feeling especially backed up.

The inversion pose is also a move done by most students in Pilates studios. You can do this position and sustain it for as long as you feel comfortable or until you feel relief.

The Bow

The Bow pose is a bit more complicated for beginner yogis to accomplish. But once they do, it not only promises to relieve constipation but back pain, as well. 

This pose puts the right kind of abdominal pressure and engages the core the way an exercise ball does. It’s especially effective if you can hold the pose for a few seconds when you lift your thighs and upper body off the floor. 

When practised daily, the Bow can keep your bowel movements regular and problem-free by stimulating all the abdominal organs.

The Crescent Lunge Twist

This particular pose may require supervision by a personal trainer because it’s a bit more complicated than some of the previous poses. It involves both a leg lunge and twisting the torso which is like a massage for the abdominal muscles.

For this pose, you’ll need to make a forward lunge with one leg bent and the other leg straightened at the back. Hold your hands in prayer position as you slowly bend your upper body while twisting your left shoulder towards the knee of the leg bent forward.

Hold this pose for a few seconds before going back to the original position and then standing straight. Do the same with the opposite leg and shoulders and repeat a couple of times.