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COVER STORY It is important to note that some asana are contraindicated for specific digestive complaints, so it is always best to check with a qualified and experienced yoga instructor before practicing yoga if you have a health condition. Cultivates mindfulness - You might not think that mindfulness and digestion have anything to do with each other. Mindfulness is about being consciously aware of how your mind and body are feeling at any given moment, and digestion is a process that happens subconsciously, whether you are aware of it or not, right? stomach feels in knots when they are feeling stressed. Yoga helps to alleviate stress on both a physical and emotional level and is an excellent way to help you relax and unwind. Supports all the other internal systems - Your body is made up of numerous However, the first stages of digestion happen as soon as you place the food in your mouth, with chewing, or masticating. Eating mindfully can mean the difference between gulping down mouthfuls of food in a hurry, or slowly taking the time to chew each bite, so that the rest of your digestive system has an easier time of breaking down and processing the nutrients you are ingesting. Reduces Stress - Stress can play havoc with your digestive system, which is why many people complain that their 68 www.yogicherald.com Jan./Feb. 2019 internal systems, including your digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, excretory, nervous and endocrine systems. All these different systems have a symbiotic relationship with each other. If one system is not working at its optimal level, then the rest of your