I had chronic constipation. I found relief in yoga.

• For years, I struggled with constipation, which left me bloated and uncomfortable.
• I discovered that certain yoga poses helped with my bloating.

For years, I quietly fought chronic constipation, which disturbed even my brightest days.

Discomfort, bloating, and frustration became my companions, controlling my routines and limiting my experiences. Every day felt like a search for relief.

I wasn't expecting to find the answer in something as simple as yoga.

Some common causes of chronic constipation

"Constipation is a physical representation of an imbalance within the gastrointestinal tract," Robyn Gaillard, yoga teacher, mind-body connection wellness and healing arts practitioner, said.

If a few days had gone by without a bowel movement, I noticed obvious impacts, such as feeling bloated and heavy or uncomfortable around the lower abdomen area.

There are likely a few things that contribute to chronic constipation. It's important to check in with your habits and choices to see whether some new routines and practices can move things along.

Firstly, focus on your diet and hydration. Proper hydration includes water and a balance of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and chloride. A diet with regular meals consisting of balanced whole foods may support proper digestion and elimination (plus, probiotic-rich foods or supplements).

Secondly, check in with your emotions for stress management. Notice what emotions you experience regularly. A build-up of negative emotions interrupts the body's natural regulation, and we often experience this in the gut.

Thirdly, move. If there's stagnation in the body, chances are there's stagnation in your lifestyle. What are your movement practices? Taking a walk, practicing yoga, swimming, and joining a gym are all ways to get the body moving.

If a lifestyle change doesn't help with your constipation, you should check with your doctor to rule out a blockage or damage to nerves that control bowel movements.

I found the solution in yoga

My journey was a search for answers. I tried various remedies, from medications to dietary changes, hoping for relief. But the constant cycle of hope and disappointment weighed heavily on my spirit. I wanted a solution that would bring lasting relief and restore normality to my life.

I came across yoga as one of the solutions through my online research. I was curious and decided to give it a try. I hoped this ancient practice would become a beacon of light in my battle against constipation.

"Yoga is a highly effective tool for improving digestive health and relieving constipation. When practicing yoga, the breath work and postures keep the focus on the present moment," Gaillard said. "This interrupts any desire to cling to repetitive thoughts or feelings when going through a stressful period of time."

Moreover, study shows that yoga postures massage and relax the inner organs.

"At the end of a yoga session, the body rests, and this calming state can signal to the body that it's safe to surrender and let go," she said. "A visit to the bathroom will likely soon follow."

As I began my yoga journey, I discovered specific poses that could stimulate digestion and alleviate constipation. These simple yet effective poses, such as the "knee-to-chest" and "wind-relieving" poses, became my tools for promoting better gut health.

With time, my yoga journey transformed my gut health. I finally found relief from the discomfort I had felt for a long time. Instead of feeling uncomfortable and frustrated, I started being full of energy. After every yoga session, I used to feel the need to go to the bathroom immediately, and there was no heaviness around my lower abdomen and bloating anymore.

Yoga also gave me the power to take charge of my health and feel more connected to my body.