Feeling Bloated After a Big Meal? This Yoga Forward Bend Brings Fast Relief

With dining out back in full swing, it's easy to overindulge during those celebratory meals. Still feeling stuffed after a night of gourmet delights? As a certified yoga instructor with over a decade of experience helping clients improve digestion, I recommend this simple forward bend. It gently stimulates the intestines, promoting better gut motility and easing that uncomfortable fullness.

Read also: '7 tips for eating smaller portions'

Stimulate Your Digestion

Forward bends are a time-tested yoga practice for supporting digestive health. After a heavy meal, grab a bolster (a firm, cylindrical pillow), rolled towel, or sturdy cushion. This prop allows for a deeper, more effective abdominal massage without strain, helping dispel bloating and discomfort.

How to Do It

• Have a bolster? Great—otherwise, a rolled-up towel or firm pillow works well for optimal stomach compression.
• Sit on the floor with legs extended straight, placing the bolster between your belly and thighs.
• Flex your feet to engage your legs.
• Fold your upper body forward over the prop, inhaling deeply into your abdomen.
• Continue deep belly breathing until you feel relief in your stomach.