4 Pilates Moves To Speed Up Digestion

Good health is closely linked to good digestion. Poor digestive health can lead to nutrient deficiencies, irregular bowel movements, hormonal imbalances, and even affect your brain chemistry and mood. Proper digestion of food is especially important when trying to lose weight. Although there are many methods to ensure good digestion, Pilates can be an excellent and refreshing alternative.

Four muscles surround our digestive system, and the movements of these muscles aid in the proper digestion of food. While performing pilates, these deep core muscles are targeted, ensuring easy food digestion. This can be quite helpful when trying to shed kilos. You can do these exercises in the morning before having your meal or at night at least an hour after your last meal.

Pelvic clock

The pelvic clock is a typical Pilates mat exercise. In this exercise, you must slow down and focus on your body. The gentle movement helps to position the pelvis and engage the abs.

How to do it:

Lie on the floor with your arms straight and resting by your side. The soles of your feet should be placed flat on the floor. Engage your abdomen to bring your button down to the spine and lengthen your spine to create a pelvic tilt. Now, circle the pelvis on the floor just like a clock. Inhale and exhale while doing so. Go clockwise first for 5 times, then go anti-clockwise.

The Hundred

The hundred is an excellent pilates exercise for the abdominals and lungs. While doing this exercise, keeping close coordination between your breath and movement is important.

How to do it: 

Lie down on your back and raise your legs at a 45-degree angle. Use your abdominal muscles to lift your head and neck off the ground. Your arms should be by your side, slightly above the ground. Now, start pumping your arms up and down while breathing in and out. Repeat this 10 times.

All fours twist

This exercise works on your core and upper back muscles, which is good for accelerating the digestion process.

How to do it: 

Get on all fours with your hands underneath your shoulders, knees, and hips. Press the left hand into the floor for support and lift your right arm towards the sky to twist the torso as much as possible. Hold the position for a while and then repeat the same with the other hand.

Breathing

Breathing is one of the best techniques to increase your digestion process. Focus on your breathing while sitting in a relaxing posture; tighten your tummy and increase your digestion.

How to do it:

Sit down crossed-legged on the floor with your spine straight. Breathe through your nose and feel the air moving through the body to the pelvic floor, relaxing your abdominal muscles. When you exhale, you should feel your muscles tone. Continue to breathe slowly with that focus and follow this mindful breathing technique for at least a minute.