Ever wondered why many cultures outside the Western world eat sitting on the floor? There’s a good reason for it - it’s said to be better for digestion.

There are two poses that can be practised while sitting on the floor - the first one is Sukhasana and the second is Vajrasana. Both put our core into a relaxed position, helping to tonify our abdominal muscles, open our hips, and lift and stretch our spine, all of which support digestion.

Vajrasana is said to be the only yoga pose that should be performed directly after eating, as it facilitates the gentle breaking down of food.

Find the most comfortable way or half way into these two poses and try them out during and after meals. Both poses are also used regularly to perform meditation and pranayama, for the very reason that they relax the body, promote blood flow to the organs and increase air/oxygen flow through the lungs.

Stomach acids are also stimulated in the two poses as the torso or core is gently moved forward to eat and then returns to the upright position while chewing. Increased stomach acid and enzymes mean food is properly digested. Low stomach acid and enzymes can lead to indigestion, heartburn, bloating, flatulence and reflux.

By eating on the floor and in either Sukhasana or Vajrasana we also focus more on eating in a comfortable state, taking the time to eat, thereby ultimately feeling satiated from less food.

Take a look at Vajrasana here: https://www.yogajournal.com/…/finding-comfort-in-kneeling/ and Sukhasana here: https://www.yogajournal.com/poses/easy-pose-3

Posted by Jasmin on Jun 28, 2023