Yoga

What is yoga?

The word yoga means “union” or “to unite”—specifically uniting the mind and body through various postures (called asanas) and breathing. Yoga originated in ancient India as a spiritual practice and is used worldwide today for exercise and well-being.

How does yoga work?

Yoga activates your “rest and digest” (or parasympathetic) nervous system. This can help with a variety of conditions and symptoms by connecting the body and mind. The rest and digest system also helps control the nerves that send signals within the gastrointestinal (GI) system.

How can you benefit from yoga?

General benefits of yoga include self-regulation and focus. Yoga can also help relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.

In addition to standard medical therapy, yoga can help relieve GI symptoms such as abdominal pain, gas, and bloating, as well as coping with chronic illness. There is some evidence to show that yoga can be helpful for:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Functional abdominal pain
• Chronic pain
• Anxiety and depression
• Eating disorders
• Various other chronic medical conditions

Is yoga safe?

Yes, yoga is safe. It is recommended that at least the first yoga experience is under the guidance of a qualified instructor, either by video (recordings or live) or in person. You should not perform any posture or asana that is painful to you.

Additional information

Yoga: What You Need To Know | NCCIH (nih.gov)

Authors: S. Vellanki MD and A. Leiby MD 9/16/22
Editor: Christine Waasdorp Hurtado, MD, MSCS, FAAP
January 2023