There’s a long list of things that yoga can improve. It can boost your mood, increase your flexibility and help with things like balance and coordination. It's also a beginner-friendly exercise, as it requires minimal equipment and can be tailored to any fitness level.
One of the lesser-known benefits of yoga is that it can help with digestion. A study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that yoga could help with constipation, while a 2016 review concluded that yoga could be helpful for people who suffer with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
This routine, created by personal trainer Rhiannon Bailey, is specifically designed to aid digestion and improve your flexibility. It's made up of five equipment-free poses, making it ideal for starting your day, on your lunch break, or even before you go to bed.
You can hold each position for as long as it feels comfortable, but Bailey recommends taking five to six deep breaths in and out before moving on to the next pose. Remember to avoid overextending in any of the positions. Instead, lean into them so that you feel a good stretch, but it should never feel painful.
Watch Rhiannon Bailey's five-move yoga routine
You really don't need much equipment to follow along with this routine. You might want to grab one of the best yoga mats before you start practicing, but most of these simple poses can be done on soft carpeted surface.
Exercise in general can help with digestive issues; as well as yoga, you can try walking to improve digestion, which can help with things like heartburn and reflux. Plus, following a high-fiber diet plan could help with things like bloating and constipation.
In addition to helping with digestion, the poses in this routine will open up your hips. Having a good range of hip mobility is important for a range of exercises, such as squats, and it can also help with back pain.
If you're someone who sits down a lot during the day, it's likely you'll suffer from tight hips. Take a look at some more hip stretches if flexibility in this area is something you want to work on, or try a hip mobility yoga flow.
