How’s your digestion? Let’s talk about what yoga and ayurveda can do for constipation.

According to Āyurveda, constipation is caused by the cold and dry qualities of excess Vāta.

In Āyurveda the way to create balance is to bring in more of the opposite, in this case we want to think warm, wet, oily.

Ideas: warm water, tea, baked or steamed veggies, soups, butter/healthy oils, oatmeal-foods that are moist and warm. 

Also: warm baths, oiling your body with abhyanaga or self oil massage

There’s an energy model in yoga and Āyurveda that gives us a way to think about postures and different ways we use the breath.

Brmhana-builds, nourishes, restores, strengthens

Langhana-lightens, reduces, eliminates, calms, decreases

Samāna-balances

For constipation, we want to work with langhana and do that by using forward bends, twists, lateral bends, and working with the exhale.

Some ways to work with langhana: 

Belly breathing: allow your belly to expand as your inhale and gently hug in your belly as you exhale

Lengthen your exhale every 1-2 breaths.

Chanting in āsana

Try this short yoga practice to help get things moving.

Next week I’ll cover general digestion tips from yoga therapy. (Hint: it’s more about your attitude than what you eat).