5 Yoga Poses For Your Bloated Belly After You're Done Eating Your Thanksgiving Feast
Thanksgiving is quickly approaching my friends, and that means copious amounts of savory dishes and sweet desserts to indulge in to your heart's content. TBH, if bringing an extra pair of pants to change into after Thanksgiving dinner is wrong, I never, ever want to be right. Alas, the sudden feasting isn't easy on your digestive system, and it'll probably leave you feeling bloated AF. Rest assured, though, there are a few, key yoga poses to do after eating that'll give you and your belly the relief you deserve.
Yoga is an incredible way to detoxify the body and ease those yucky feelings you get after eating a lot, like indigestion, cramping, bloating, and constipation. The poses slowly but surely allow your digestive system to ease back into its normal functioning, and let's be real, it probably needs that assistance after you go all out on delicious, but nonetheless heavy dishes like stuffing and mashed potatoes during Thanksgiving dinner.
And yes, if you've ever had some serious trouble going "number two" after enjoying a really big meal, yoga can definitely help you poop. And, I'm sorry, but there are few feelings in this world more satisfying than being able to poop with ease after a huge meal (fight me, I dare you).
These five yoga poses are a surefire way to soothe your bloated belly after your festive feast, but remember, you should probably wait at least a couple of hours between eating and flowing so you don't inadvertently upset your stomach even more. Or, better yet, wake up the very next morning and start your day with these restorative poses (followed by that glorious poop we talked about).
01Seated Cat Cow (Marjariasana-Bitilisana)
Since you probably don't eat a copious amount of mashed potatoes and stuffing on the reg, your digestive system is probably confused AF after the big feast, and doesn't know how to get the excess food to its "final destination," if you know what I mean.
For real though, seated cat cow is where it's at to help with uncomfortable constipation and bloating. Breathe deeply as you go through the motions, and try envisioning your digestive system working smoothly and effectively to do its damn job.
02Garland Pose (Malasana)
Malasana is the prime pose for really stimulating digestion and getting your intestines to work to their fullest potential.
Garland pose also just so happens to feel freaking incredible on your hips and groin, and TBH, it'll set your body up to let everything out smoothly and efficiently.
Fair warning: If you're doing this pose with a super bloated belly, it's probably going to make you want to fart, and there's no reason why you should hold it in, because we all know that's hella uncomfortable. Do this pose in the privacy of your room; you and your loved ones can thank me later.
03Wind Relieving Pose (Pawanmuktasana)
In this asana, you're basically giving yourself a huge hug. I'm not sure if you're applauding yourself for being able to consume so much food, or comforting yourself because of how bloated your belly is. I'll let you decide that one for yourself.
The gentle pressure of your legs pressed against your belly will provide a subtle massage to your internal organs, which will let any excess air (aka bloating) slowly drift out of the body.
Feel free to rock back and forth on your spine if you want to add a bit of a lower back massage to the movement. Hey, if you're already giving your stomach some TLC, you may as well soothe that sacrum while you're at it, too, right?
04Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)
TBH, laying down is all I want to do when I'm bloated and backed up, and it's actually the most beneficial, because intense asanas will only aggravate your already uncomfortable symptoms.
Reclined bound angle pose will open up some space in your pelvis and abdominals, which will allow your digestive system to work its magic and rid your body of that big ol' food baby ASAP.
A bonus to this pose, BTW, is that it's an incredible stress-reliever, and I don't know about you, but I definitely feel stressed around the holidays, even Thanksgiving. When you're feeling anxious, it can actually wreak even more havoc on your digestive system as a result, which obviously just adds a whole other layer of difficulty to that Thanksgiving digestion process.
Breathe evenly and deeply as you sink into the mat, and enjoy the sensation of your hips gently releasing tension.
05Child's Pose (Balasana)
When you're simply too stuffed to move, breaking out a gentle child's pose will soothe your body and let your digestive fluids go to work.
Try a wide-kneed child's pose to allow your bloated belly to rest in between the space in your legs (it feels heavenly, I promise). Use this time to close your eyes, and focus only on the rhythm of your breathing.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, try thinking of all the things that you're grateful for. Cultivating this kind of energy will create an open, calm environment for your body and mind, and your stomach will be back to digesting like a boss in no time.
