Week 188: Let It All Out

Rumble, grumble, gurgle…

Rumble, grumble, gurgle…

And repeat.

That was the sound of my GI (stomach) system this past weekend.

Where it came from and what caused it, I have no idea.

So, when it came to yoga this week, naturally I went searching for a yoga practice that could help with my digestion and stomach cramps. My initial search, of course, led me back to my touchstone, Adriene. She provided not just one but two essential practices to help me out!

Now, I realize, I’ve been pretty open, honest and quite transparent in 2016. I’ve opened up and written about many personal things. So folks, this one will be no different.

Disclaimer: I will contain myself to a point. But let’s be honest, sh*t happens. Bodily fluids haven’t bothered me since taking gross anatomy in university, but for some, its too much information! I’ll save some of the details but here is what unfolded.

I started with this practice first...

With not eating much yesterday, my energy was low and this practiced pushed my effort. In the end, I’m glad it was only 25 minutes! The pose that seemed to really speak to me was downward facing dog twist or revolved downward facing dog (Parivrtta Adho Mukha Svanasana). I can’t recall if I’ve written about this asana before but I know I’ve done it a couple times before. Essentially, it is a downward facing dog with the opposite hand reaching for the opposite leg (body is being held up by only three appendages).

Yoga Outlet states that the twisting of the torso massages and tones your internal organs, which helps to remove toxins and waste products. Cleansing these organs also improves metabolism, digestion, and overall well-being. Well, that is what I needed. So much so that…

I visited the bathroom not once during practice, not twice, but three times. Thank goodness that bathroom is only a quick run up the stairs because revolved downward facing dog got things moving!

I also took the time to try Wind-Relieving Pose. Yes, that is it’s real name.

It amazes me that I’ve done this pose and its iterations for years without knowing its name!

Silver lining to this discomfort ridden couple days…I found out more about yoga.

I don’t encourage you to give yourself GI distress just to find out more about the Wind-Relieving Pose, but yoga continues to teach me many things. Riding my body, of you know what, is just the side benefit!
LW