For individuals struggling with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), yoga can be a gentle yet effective way to relieve discomfort and improve digestion. These exercises are great for people who suffer from IBS because of their gentle, easygoing nature, so this article will give you a short list of yoga poses for IBS. Below are a few yoga poses known to support digestion and relaxation.
1. Gate Pose
Begin in an upright kneeling position. Extend your right leg out to your right with your foot flat to the ground as if your toes were reaching for coins on the ground. Take a breath in and raise your left arm above your head, breathe out, and lean towards your right leg. Place your right hand on your shin. Reach with your left arm towards your right leg. Keep your head from being too strained, and keep your face completely relaxed. Stay in the pose for 6 – 10 breaths, then return to the upright kneeling stance and repeat the reverse for the other side. End with the kneeling.
2. Half-Seated Spinal Twist
Get into a seated position and cross your left leg so that the bottom of your left foot points toward your right and lines up with your right hip. Then, place your right leg over your left with your right foot flat on the ground in front of your left knee. Be sure that you are balanced well, with your back fully extended. Slowly spin your torso towards the right. Wrap your left arm around your right knee and slowly exhale. Continue to twist just a bit more and stop before it becomes uncomfortable. Hold this pose for 6 – 10 breaths and reverse to the other side and direction. Twists like this aid digestion and reduce abdominal tension, which is why they are often recommended in functional medicine Studio City for gut health.
3. Reclining Abdominal Twist
Starting on your back, bend and squeeze your right leg to your body as you slowly breathe outward. Hold the pose for a few breaths. Bend your right leg at the knee and bring it across your body to the left, pointing your knee straight out to the left. Extend your right arm back along the shoulder line and place your palm flat on the ground. Hold this pose for 6 – 10 breaths and go back to the flat lying position. Repeat the reverse for the other side. This pose helps stimulate the digestive organs and improve circulation—one of the many reasons why it’s included in functional medicine Encino approaches for IBS support.
Yoga is a powerful tool for managing IBS symptoms by reducing stress, improving digestion, and increasing relaxation. By incorporating these poses into your daily routine, you can promote gut health and overall well-being. Many individuals seeking functional medicine Burbank use yoga alongside nutritional and lifestyle changes to achieve long-term relief from IBS discomfort.