The Digestive System

Question 1

Discus five (5) separate āsana that supports digestive system function

Answer 1

Salabhasana / Locust
- Stimulate appetite. Work against gravity and massage liver

Salamba Sarvangasana / Shoulder stand
- Reverse of gravity takes away pressure from digestive system

Malasana / Yogi squat
– pressure point to stimulate the bowels (inner knees) on inner knees

Any twist
- Squeeze soak (always twist to right first_

Pascimottanasana / Intense Stretch to West
- Compress digestive system / Samana vayu

Question 2

Discuss the intricate relationship between the practice of Prāṇāyāma and digestion?

Answer 2

• Kapalabhati, build fire – build energy/fire Agni to help break down food
• How we digest our life experiences
• Samana Vayu – aids digestion
• Gentle pranayama – Nadi shodana/Sammavrtti
• Activates PSNS which aids in digesting food
• Nasal breathing is healthy for digestion

Question 3

How does yoga practice influence the mind-gut relationship?

Answer 3

• Transporting nutrients through blood

• Digestion and immune system improve, increased sereton production. Sleep cycles work better – improved
sleep.

• Heating the body helps kill unhealthy/harmful bacteria - Healthy gut flora + better mental health
• Vagal tone – more likely to have compassion for others
• Stress is a cause on overeating. Yoga assists with managing stress.
• Mindfulness – mindful eating
• Choices / Awareness – food high in prana, easy to breakdown

Question 4

Why is it so important to practice āsana on an empty stomach and how would explain this to a student who is new to Yoga

Answer 4

After eating wait 2-4 hours before practice.

Asana can be really uncomfortable to practice

Full stomach – challenging practice. The gut uses a lot of energy when digesting. Can only process food when in PSNS

Not drink water whilst practicing – puts out fire we build (Agni in our belly)

In email intro/welcome put in come to class hydrated

Question 5

How does Prāṇā influence digestion and vice versa?

Answer 5

High prana food – fruit, veg, nuts

Prāṇa flows through the stomach channel in the early part of the day

Samāna Vāyu is responsible for moving food downwards to remove impurities.

Agni – the digestive fire that supports the winds of vayu

Worry governs the organs of the stomach and digestion as a whole; it causes the Prāṇa to ‘knot’ in body