What is Digestive Centered Yoga?

Yoga is an ages-old philosophy traditionally expressed in mind-body practices to increase the awareness of connection to one’s physical, mental, and emotional bodies.

Digestion from a yogic perspective identifies that it is not only the assimilation of physical food and nutrients, but also thoughts, feelings, emotions, and stress.

The Yoga Sutras define yoga as the “mastery of the cessation of fluctuations in the mind.”

It is believed that here is where a sense of peace and acceptance are expressed.

Research has identified stress as a contributing factor in hypersensitive expressions of the gut related to gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS and IBD.

Digestive centered yoga uses asana (physical postures) and breath (pranayama) intentionally to help release stress that can be often associated with discomfort related to digestive disorders.

Yoga asana supports postural alignment and involves stretching and twisting the abdominal organs and muscles to help create space, increase movement, and release tension.

Pranayama helps to soothe and tone the nervous system, which supports the communication between the gut and brain via the gut-brain axis.

Living with digestive concerns is not solely about the physical body.

Working with a Registered Dietitian addresses dietary components to gut healing with nutrient intake, food variety, meal patterns, supplement use, and builds confidence around foods requiring adjustment to help manage GI symptoms.

Yoga provides a space for grounding, acknowledges and accepts bodily sensations without judgment, and practices the opportunity to respond, rather than react to one’s internal environment.

Along with nutritional counseling, a consistent yoga practice centered in digestive care will focus on physical and energetic roles of the digestive system.

Over time this helps build trust and provides a sense of security in food choices and safety with movement that can contribute to the healing of digestive discomfort.

Overall, digestive centered yoga is a safe, supportive practice that can be coupled with diet therapy, medication, and lifestyle management for digestive concerns.

What to Expect:

• No group classes. Sessions will be individual via Zoom.
• Sessions are billed to insurance, just like your nutrition appointments
• Student microphones will be muted during class to eliminate background noise. Playing soft music, nature sounds, or meditation tones is welcome.
• Choose a comfortable, uninterrupted space to move. Set up in a room or an outdoor area where there is freedom to move arms and legs without walls, furniture, etc in the way.
• No prior experience with yoga is necessary.
• Yoga is for everyBODY! Classes are individualized to meet specific needs.
• Postures will be demonstrated by the instructor throughout class
• Class will be approximately 45-50 minutes, leaving time both before and after class for discussion as needed
• Consistency is key to feeling the many benefits of yoga. A weekly scheduled class and shorter supplemental practices on your own is recommended.
• Suggestions for any supplemental breath or posture practices will be reviewed by instructor.

What to Wear and Bring to Class:

• Choose comfortable clothes that are easy to move in and stay in place.
• Do NOT wear shoes. Bare feet are recommended, as socks tend to slide on yoga mats.
• Yoga or exercise mat
• 1-2 Blankets
• If available: 2 Yoga blocks and/or a bolster or 1-2 small, firm pillows (**Note these are not required**)
• Water bottle (for after class)