This month, we’re pairing written content with a featured practice from our library — this one focused on digestive health.
Why Digestion and Scleroderma
Scleroderma can cause smooth muscle changes throughout the digestive system — dry mouth, sphincter function, gut motility, and in some cases, continence. One of the most common downstream effects is GERD, as smooth muscle changes to the lower esophageal sphincter allow stomach acid to move back into the esophagus easily. (Think open pipe). Slowed motility elsewhere in the GI tract can also contribute to constipation and other complications.
Stress compounds all of this: the body’s fight-or-flight response diverts blood flow and energy away from digestion, worsening symptoms that are already present from the disease process itself.
What’s in This Practice
This session draws from the same approach used in our teacher training curriculum:
Diaphragmatic breathing — beneficial for everyone regardless of GI symptom presentation, supporting relaxation and overall digestive function
Constructive rest pose — adaptable to where you are that day: lying flat on the floor, propped up on a wedge if GERD makes lying flat uncomfortable, or seated in a chair if getting down to the floor isn’t accessible
Watch/Listen
🎥 Watch Here
🎧 Podcast- Listen here: https://yogaforscleroderma.buzzsprout.com/1314106/episodes/15940450
A Note on Expectations
It’s worth being clear: yoga does not reverse fibrotic tissue changes. What it can do is support nervous system regulation, breath mechanics, and gentle mobility that make daily digestive symptoms more manageable.
This is the first post in an ongoing series pairing written content with a featured practice from our YouTube and podcast library. New practices will be featured monthly — subscribe to get them as they're released.