My "Go To" Pose for Indigestion in Pregnancy (and beyond)

The second and third trimesters are ripe with rapid change as your baby is growing bigger and taking up more residence in your body. Just as you are getting used to your growing belly and declining nausea and exhaustion, in comes another aspect of pregnancy - indigestion and heartburn. While popping Tums and diet changes can help temporarily, there is a new kid in town.

"Anti-heartburn pose" also known as anahatasana (heart pose) is my "go to" when working with parents who experience heartburn or stomach discomfort. This pose provides physical space in the body creating room for the ribs lift up and out taking some pressure off of organs that are moving into new positions to make room for a growing uterus and baby. It's also a tremendous stretch for the front of the chest, shoulders and down the arms. 

Anti-heartburn pose in 2 ways

Position 1: The first way to come into this pose includes the floor and something soft for under your knees. Come into a table top position (all 4's), then walk your hands forward while keeping your knees and hips in line. (Think a dog stretching in the sun.) Lower your forward as far as it is comfortable to the floor. You can even place a pillow or block under your forehead if your head does not touch the floor. Rest here and breathe deeply for 5-10 breaths.

Position 2: The second way changes your relationship to gravity a bit more. Sit in front of a couch or wall. Knees will be wider than hips with toes together. Walk your hands up the wall in a V shape or around the cushion of the couch (as seen in the photo below). Rest here and breathe deeply for 5-10 breaths.

Try it out next time you have stomach discomfort or heartburn. Reading this and you are not pregnant? No problem. Try this out for a deep stretch, to counter spinal flexion from sitting, or after a large meal. Let me know how it goes!

PRACTICE WITH VALERIE

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