Yogis have realized that Gas is a part of the human system and since yore, they have been discussing it in great depths. Natha yogis also had a lot to say on ‘Breath’, or ‘Pranayama’ as an important Yogic science.
Most of the yoga asanas are said to be best practiced only after exhaling because the body postures initiate a flow of blood that helps release toxins from the stomach.
However, some yogic postures are also meant to produce intestinal gas, by pressing the intestines and other abdominal organs.
Some people might think that Yoga is all about how to keep your mind calm and stress-free. It is not correct.
Yoga means ‘Union’ of the three things that make you human – The Body, The Mind, and the Breath. And therefore, our body does produce gas. To deal with it you need to use Yogic science – ‘Ayurveda’.
Here are some yoga asanas if you are suffering from excessive gas buildup in your stomach.
* Uttanasana: One of the best yoga poses to relieve gas Uttanasana. This is the ‘forward folding’ posture. Stand straight on the ground, keep feet together and gently bend forward till your hands touch the ground or they can be kept above your head also.
Be gentle with yourself if it feels uncomfortable initially. This posture will increase abdominal pressure and at the same time put downward pressure on your abdomen.
* Pawanmuktasana: Sit straight, fold your legs towards you and try to touch your heels with the back of your head. Your buttocks should be placed above the ground and shoulders should be stretched. This releases constipation and gas.
* Pavanamuktasana: This posture is the same as above but one leg should be kept vertical, the remaining knee pressed to the ground.
The ankles are to be placed under your respective knees and hands are stretched up in front of you with fingers touching each other. This pose stretches the stomach muscles and digestive organs which help expel gas.
* Gomukhasana: Sit with folded legs and keep your back straight. Cross your right foot over the left one and stretch out your right arm to touch the ground on the opposite side of your body while keeping your head turned to watch it.
Now, do the same with another arm and leg (left foot x left arm). This pose will help your digestive organs to contract and release gas.
Other yoga asanas that can help you are Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana, Pachimottanasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana, Paripurna Navasana etc. Pranayama is a complete yogic science. It will help you to get rid of any physical ailment in the body. When practiced in its right form, it can be used to cure many diseases like constipation, gastritis, etc even when medicines do not work.
Ashtanga Yoga helps you in cleansing your digestive system and helps keep constipation at bay which is one of the major causes for gas build-up in the stomach.
Similarly, hatha yoga also works on your digestive system and facilitates the digestion of food by draining toxins out of the body.
Balasana is a yogic pose that helps to bring the digestive system in order and also relieves you of gas. Swastikasana and Shavasana (the corpse pose) give you great relief if done after other yoga asanas.
Chakrasana and Vajrasana involve balancing your body on your legs, thereby putting pressure on your digestive organs which release excess gas.
The importance of yoga in purifying the body is immense and this science can be used to cure many diseases, especially those related to digestion.
It also helps you maintain a good posture, breathing pattern, and the right kind of fitness that keeps ailments like flatulence at bay.
In Indian philosophy, it is said that suffering in this world is due to ignorance and body attachment. The yogic teachings help us know our real ‘self’.
Yoga helps you in getting rid of ailments like constipation or gastritis which can cause excessive gas in your stomach and lead to flatulence. It also ensures that such diseases do not recur again. s
Yoga is not just an exercise but a way out of suffering. It brings humility, discipline, and health to the practitioner and gives beautiful insights into the dynamics of Life and its creation.
