Digestive health and emotional balance are deeply connected through the abdomen.
When we hold tension in the belly from stress, overthinking, or emotional strain, it tightens the fascia and diaphragm, constricts the psoas, and blocks circulation through the digestive organs and abdominal meridians.
This can affect everything from our mood and metabolism to our ability to feel calm and grounded.
This gentle self-massage uses a rolled towel to guide slow, mindful pressure into the belly, diaphragm, psoas, and connective tissue.
The practice feels deeply yin-like: you’ll soften layers of held tension, stimulate the vagus nerve, and help restore balance to the body’s internal rhythm.
It’s a powerful way to support liver and digestive function, reduce stress, and reconnect with the wisdom that lives in your center.
Practice the guided abdominal massage below:
After your practice:
As you release tension from the abdomen, notice how your breath naturally deepens.
This practice often brings a sense of spaciousness through the ribs and belly — a feeling that ripples through the whole nervous system.
Return to this massage regularly, especially when you feel bloated, anxious, or “stuck” emotionally. Over time, it can help retrain your body to relax and digest with greater ease.
If you’d like to deepen your practice, pair this massage with gentle yin yoga postures for the stomach and spleen meridians or a brief grounding meditation after.
Explore more practices:
For more digestion & gut support:
Herbal Support for Liver & Gut
Salt Water Flush for Gut Reset & Mental-Emotional Detox
Find more body-based rituals for digestion and emotional balance in the Holistic Library.
If you’re looking for exclusive free resources or ready for deeper root-level support, you’ll find everything here.
Jyllin weaves Eastern and Western wisdom through meridian yoga, mind-body practices, and holistic habits to restore body, mind, and nervous system balance. Explore her free resources and programs to continue your holistic journey.