Question:

I suffer from a lot of abdominal pain, bloating and wind. Are there any specific poses you can recommend to help with this issue?

Answer:

I'd recommend not over-breathing firstly — gulping or panting will only make it worse. Focus on evenness of breath — inhales and exhales and breathing into chest, not into the belly. Warm the body with gentle sun salutations then postures should include plenty of side bends, twists and forward bends, to stimulate digestion and cleanse the digestive tract. Pay particular attention to a modified parvritta parsvakonasana, trikonasana as well as parvritta trikonasana. Emphasise engaging the abdominal lock to "flush" the digestive track.

Then move to seated postures, in particular paschimottanasana, janu sirsasana — let the belly release and soften then move onto a little more dynamic variations of marichyasana (start gently in A and B variations) and enjoy long holds of eight to 10 breaths.

Conclude with supported or half shoulder stand, ensuring deep pressure of chin into throat, and jalandhara bandha to stimulate and flush toxins from thyroid gland. The thyroid assists in metabolism and digestion, so regularly incorporating the shoulder stand into your practice will be particularly beneficial.

Try matsyasana and a gentle supine twist with knees bent to chest then over to the side. Remember — practice on an empty stomach, avoiding heavy eating three or four hours before practice.

Duncan Peak — yoga expert
www.powerliving.com.au