It’s Thanksgiving Day in Canada, and for many of us, that means turkey – lots of it, accompanied by lots of other stuff, and followed by lots of something else. There’s a reason that side dish is called stuffing.

When you emerge from your turkey coma, give thanks that it’s ten whole weeks before you have to eat that meal again, then try these cleansing pro-digestion yoga poses, courtesy of Dan Lindsay at Vancouver’s Semperviva Yoga.

You don’t want to do these on a full stomach, but they are great for getting rid of that bloated Butterball feeling the next day.

1. Side twist

Sitting tall on your mat, bend your left leg so your knee is flat to the floor and your foot is tucked in close to your right buttock. Place your right foot on the outside of your left knee, allowing your right knee to point up toward the ceiling. Lengthen your spine and gently twist to the right, hugging your right knee with your left arm and placing your right hand on the floor behind you for support. Hold and breathe for five to six breaths, then repeat on the other side. Other twisting poses such as Triangle pose are also great for digestion, says Dan.

2. Tuck pose

Lying on your back, engage your core and pull your knees in toward your chest. Hug your knees with your arms. On an exhale, bring your nose up to meet your knees. If you want to strengthen your core, gently extend one of your legs in front of you, bringing it to rest on the floor or hovering a few inches above it. Hold for five breaths, then repeat on the other side.

3. Bridge pose

Lying on your back, bend your knees to bring your heels up against your butt. Let your arms lie straight down at your sides, palms pressing into the floor. Engage your core and lift your hips up so that the front of your body makes one long, straight plane from knees to neck. If it’s comfortable to do so, you can bring your straight arms together under your body, interlocking the fingers.

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Maggie Langrick

Maggie Langrick founded LifeTree Media to fulfill a long-held dream to lead a company dedicated to aiding personal growth and conscious communication. A compulsive word nerd and cheerleader for the human race, Maggie thrives on a balanced diet of yoga and ribald humour.

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