Focus of the Week: Twists and Activating the Gut
As a physiotherapist, I am fascinated by how the body’s functional and biological processes play a important role in healing, regeneration, and overall health.
Like Giulia Enders, the young German doctor whose bestseller Darm mit Charme (2014) sold over 8 million copies worldwide, I am inspired by the gut—not just as a digestive organ, but as the center of our immune system.
Simply Digestion
In the small intestine, sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are absorbed. The large intestine extracts water and electrolytes, forming stool.
The Gut and Our Immune System
Around 70–80% of our immune cells live in the gut, in what’s called the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). These cells help protect us by spotting harmful germs, producing antibodies, and keeping dangerous microorganisms out of the bloodstream. The gut microbiome—a community of about 100 trillion microorganisms—supports digestion, makes important vitamins like K, biotin, and folate, and trains the immune system to tell the difference between friendly and harmful invaders.
As Giulia Enders wrote, “Our gut is a highly intelligent organ that constantly decides what is friend and what is foe.”
The Gut and Emotions
The gut communicates with the brain via the gut-brain axis, explaining why stress or strong emotions can cause stomach issues. A healthy gut supports both mood and immunity.
More about Twist you can find here: https://andrea-stern.de/2025/06/01/yoga-basics-6-twist-rejuvenate-yourself-with-the-balancing-twists-of-asanas/
NEW: Organisch
Take care and enjoy your yoga practice!
Andrea Stern