Wind Relieving Pose beats the bloat
Done daily, this simple exercise helps with digestion and eases lower back pain
Is there an elephant in the room at your local yoga studio? Chances are you can blame Wind Relieving Pose for the social faux pas. Yes, you heard me correctly, there is a well-known yoga exercise called Wind Relieving Pose, or Pavanamuktasana in the language of yoga. Borrowed from our hot yoga friends, this accessible sequence soothes low back pain, massages the abdomen, and helps you beat the bloat.
Begin on your back with arms and legs outstretched. Fill your body with breath, then draw both knees into your chest as you exhale.
Maintaining your hold on the right knee, release the left leg and stretch it along the floor. If you feel a pinch in the front of your folded hip, try angling the leg a little to the right.
Stay for five or more relaxed breaths before bringing both legs back in for a compact hug.
Then repeat on the other side, staying for an equal number of breaths.
Finish by bringing both knees back into the chest and lifting your head, neck and shoulders off the ground, nuzzling your nose into the space between your knees for three focused breaths.
Release with an exhalation and take a few moments to feel your body breathe. Colon consideration Always begin Wind Relieving Pose on the right side to ensure you massage the ascending colon first, before massaging the descending colon. This sequence honours the inner workings of the human digestive tract and promotes healthy elimination.
Do it first thing in the morning to get things moving. YuMee Chung is a recovering lawyer who teaches yoga in Toronto. She is on the faculty of a number of yoga teacher training programs and leads international yoga retreats. Learn more about her at padmani.com