Overindulgence can be enjoyable, but it may leave you feeling off balance. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, digestive health is seen as closely connected to overall wellness, including how your body feels day to day.

The herbs in the Digestive Harmony formula are great for a variety of digestive needs, but when paired with movements that encourage digestion, they can be a helpful addition to your daily wellness routine.

We've assembled four yoga poses that you can practice in the comfort of your home that encourage abdominal twisting or stretching.  The goal is to promote energy and openness to your tummy, thereby supporting natural movement, encouraging vitality, and promoting overall well-being.

1. Restorative Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana)

To get into Cow Face Pose, carefully stack your knees on top of one another, firmly root your sitting bones, and allow your feet to lie in a soft diagonal on the floor. Only if your knees feel comfortable may you slowly lie your body forward. Let your head relax and place your hands facing upward to let gravity do the work. After breathing into this pose for 1-3 minutes, switch to the other side, switching the stacked knee on top.

2. Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

To get into Eagle Pose, first go into chair, bending at the knees, weight in the heels, with arms up toward the sky. Bring your right arm under your left, either grabbing the opposite shoulder or wrapping your arms completely until your palms touch. Bright your right leg up and around your left quad, wrapping your foot along the opposite calf, if accessible. Keep your hips in line and bend deeper into your knees, pressing all of the major joints together for compression. Hold for 3-5 breaths, then repeat on the opposite side with left leg over, left arm under.

3. Extended Puppy Pose (Uttana Shishosana)

To get into Extended Puppy Pose, begin on all fours, slowly walk your fingers forward until you feel a nice elongating stretch in the back body. Tent your fingers up and curl your toes under. Keep your arms engaged, draw your hips back, and let your forehead touch the ground. Breath and stretch for 5-10 breaths.

4. Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)

To get into Bow Pose, begin on the floor lying on your stomach. Bend both knees and grab the outside of your feet near the arches. Ensure that your elbow is facing outward. Gently kick into your palms and let your chest rise from that push. Stay on the soft part of your belly with a gentle gaze upward. Try to get the stretch even throughout your entire back, ensuring that you are not putting too much pressure on your lower back. Hold for 3-5 deep breaths, try a Child’s Pose or Forward Fold for a counter pose to this deep back bend.

Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider.  This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease.  That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options.  If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.

Jane Veitenheimer is a Minneapolis-based writer who is passionate about vinyasa yoga and holistic healing. In her free time she juices, knits with her two cats, and goes on long hikes with her dog.