Relieve painful IBS symptoms with yoga-inspired stretches

Gaiam recommends twists to improve digestion and relieve constipation. Among their favorite is revolved triangle. Start in standing. Step your left foot back three feet, placing the foot completely down on the floor, toes slightly turned out. Take the left side of the torso down towards the floor, placing your left hand on a block and your right hand on your waist. Pause and inhale. Upon exhaling, revolve the right side of your abdomen and chest up towards the ceiling. The whole left side should be turned towards your right side. Hold for 5- 10 breaths and repeat on the opposite side.

If IBS stops you up, a deep squat can help compress the lower abdomen. One of Prevention’s favorite poses to achieve this end is “Malasana,” or a deep squat. To get into this pose, begin standing with feet hip-distance apart. Slowly bend your knees, aiming to keep your back straight, chest open, and abdomen pulled in tight. When you get into the deep squat, relax, but take care to maintain the strength and stretch of the pose. You should feel relief soon.

Just as in a deep squat, a forward fold can work wonders for compressing the abdomen and helping the bowels move more easily, explains Prevention. When doing this pose, do not worry about getting your hands to touch the floor or keeping your knees straight. Focus instead on keeping the back straight and head heavy. Using a block to support your hands can help.

If you’re suffering from diarrhea, Prevention recommends this pose to restore the bowels to a natural calm state. Lie on the floor with your feet facing the wall. Bring your bottom close to the wall, using a pillow to support your backside for extra comfort. Gently climb your legs up the wall so they’re resting comfortably. You should not feel any strain. Rest for a minimum of 5 minutes.

To aid digestion, use towels or a yoga bolster to support child’s pose. Think of this pose as giving your body a loving hug. Start on your hands and knees. Sit back on your ankles and fold your torso over stacked towels. Relax for at least five minutes, as directed by Prevention.

If you’ve taken a yoga class before, you’re likely familiar with the final resting pose savasana, prone savasana’s close cousin. This pose requires you lie on your belly and relax. Place a folded blanket under your ankles to increase comfort and breath calmly for at least five minutes. Prevention recommends prone savasana to relieve IBS symptoms because it protects the vital organs and helps you relax deeply.

Aren’t these yoga poses fabulous? You can help a friend suffering from IBS by SHARING this article with them on social media!