Roman’s Recommended Yoga for Digestion, Shoulders and More

     Manic:  Always looking for ways to improve digestion, so I eat too much fiber at once and my body has to adjust.

Managed:  Roman’s suggested yoga pose for improved digestion, in addition to the right foods, that the body can adjust to in a slow and calm manner.  This pose also has many other wonderful benefits, so read on and try it with me.

Roman says:

For improved digestion, menopause relief, to open the shoulders and more, try the Extended Triangle Pose or the Utthita Trikonasana…

Benefits:

*Opens shoulders

*Stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles

*Stretches the hips, groins, hamstrings, and calves; shoulders, chest, and spine

*Stimulates the abdominal organs

*Helps relieve stress

*Improves digestion

*Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause

*Relieves backache, especially through second trimester of pregnancy

*Therapeutic for anxiety, flat feet, infertility, neck pain, osteoporosis, and sciatica

1.   Stand in Tadasana. With an exhalation, step or lightly jump your feet 3 1/2 to 4 feet apart. Raise your arms parallel to the floor and reach them actively out to the sides, shoulder blades wide, palms down.

2.  Turn your left foot in slightly to the right and your right foot out to the right 90 degrees. Align the right heel with the left heel. Firm your thighs and turn your right thigh outward, so that the center of the right knee cap is in line with the center of the right ankle.

3.  Exhale and extend your torso to the right directly over the plane of the right leg, bending from the hip joint, not the waist. Anchor this movement by strengthening the left leg and pressing the outer heel firmly to the floor. Rotate the torso to the left, keeping the two sides equally long. Let the left hip come slightly forward and lengthen the tailbone toward the back heel.

4.  Rest your right hand on your shin, ankle, or the floor outside your right foot, whatever is possible without distorting the sides of the torso. Stretch your left arm toward the ceiling, in line with the tops of your shoulders. Keep your head in a neutral position or turn it to the left, eyes gazing softly at the left thumb.

 5.  Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Inhale to come up, strongly pressing the back heel into the floor and reaching the top arm toward the ceiling. Reverse the feet and repeat for the same length of time to the left.

   Roman began practicing yoga in 2000 to complement his rigorous workout and hectic work schedule. Leading to increased strength, concentration and flexibility, he found yoga far more beneficial in restoring peace in any stressful environment. Studying under Andrew Eppler and local instructors Dave Oliver, Cheryl Oliver and John Salisbury, Roman is currently working towards the 500 hour advanced Yoga Instructor training.

Read more about Roman on our team bio page. 

What is your favorite yoga pose?  Tell us in the comments section.