Yoga Positions That Help Release Gas

Everyone gets gas. It's perfectly normal to release this combination of carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and sometimes methane at least 14 times per day. Gas can come from swallowed air when eating or drinking or undigested foods mixed with harmless bacteria in the large intestine. Common symptoms include belching, flatulence, bloating and abdominal pain.



Some simple yoga poses can help ease discomfort and keep your digestive system functioning smoothly.

  1. Thunderbolt Pose

    • Practice thunderbolt pose to help you digest after meals. Kneel on your mat with your legs parallel and sit back on your feet. Rest your hands on your upper thighs. Draw your navel back toward your spine and lengthen the sides of your body. Relax your shoulders back and down. Hold this pose for several breaths.

    Cat/Cow Pose

    • Massage your abdominal organs with cat/cow pose. While on your hands on knees, tuck your toes under and bring your attention to your breath. Exhale, curve your spine upward, lower your head and look back to your legs for cat pose. Inhale, lengthen your spine forward, lift your seat and look straight ahead for cow pose. Continue moving with your breath, 10 times.

    Staff Pose

    • To tone your abdominal muscles and help digestion, sit in staff pose with your legs straight out in front of you. Place your hands on blocks on either side of your hips. Keeping your sit bones rooted and your palms pressed into the blocks, lift your abdomen and relax your shoulders. Breathe naturally and hold this pose for 30 seconds to one minute.

    Seated Spinal Tiwst

    • To wring out your organs and supply them with freshly oxygenated blood, do seated spinal twist. With your legs straight out in front of you, bend one knee and place your foot flat on the floor. Bend your elbow on the same side and position your upper arm on the inside of your bent leg. Place your opposite hand on the floor --- or on a block --- next to your hip. Inhale, lengthen upward, pressing your arm and leg into each other. Exhale, turn toward your opposite leg. Hold for 30 seconds.

      Repeat on your other side.

    Wind Release Pose

    • Named for exactly what it does, wind release pose can help relieve pain caused by gas build-up. Lie on your back and relax for a few breaths. Bend your right knee and bring it up to your chest, holding onto your shin. Inhale, lift your head off the floor and try to reach your knee. Hold for 30 seconds with full awareness of your breath. Exhale slowly as you lower down. Repeat on the left side.

      Another option is to lift both legs at the same time.