Amidst the crazy on-the-run lifestyle, a timely detoxification is highly essential for keeping the body and mind in the best of shape. Yoga is a natural detoxification remedy to cleanse the internal and external channels via stimulating the lymphatic system, activating the functions of digestive organs, and resetting the mind to work at its full potential. Practice these eight challenging yoga poses to detoxify the mind and body naturally:
Garudasana (Eagle Pose)
This is a great asana to start with, in the Yogic Detoxification Series. The pose stretches and activates the lymphatic system in the lower body, core, hips, and back releasing toxins out from the body. It is a very powerful asana to acquire both mental and physical balance.
How to Do:
- Stand with your leg one foot apart.
- While maintaining the curve of the spine, coil your right leg around the left.
- Bring both the arms in front of the chest. Bend at the elbow.
- Now wrap the right forearm around the left. Join the palms in Namaste Mudra.
- Find balance and gently lower the body while bending at the knee.
- Bend until the hips are parallel to the floor.
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
The cobra pose is crucial to strengthen the back, core, and spine. It activates the digestive system to facilitate ama (waste) elimination.
How to Do:
- Lie on the floor in prone position.
- Rest the hands by the side of the body.
- Now bend the arms at the elbow and place the palms under the shoulders.
- Using your torso while seeking a feeble support of your arms, lift the upper body upwards.
- Point the chin towards the ceiling.
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)
The Downward Facing Dog pose is a relatively-simpler yoga pose. However, it can be a bit challenging to perform for yogis in their initial stage. The pose is great for conditioning the back, core, and hips to increase the oxygen supply throughout the entire body. It also stimulates digestion at a deeper level.
How to Do:
- Reach onto your palms and knees.
- Gently lift the hips upward while engaging the core in doing so.
- Lift until the body is in inverted-V shape.
- Tuck the chin between the shoulders in its natural form.
Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Spinal Twist Pose)
This is an incredible asana to power-up the digestive system as the core and back is stimulated on a deeper level.
How to Do:
- Sit on the mat with legs straight in front.
- Now fold both the legs at the knee.
- Place the left foot outside the right shin, just beyond the right knee.
- Keeping the leg firm, gently twist towards the right.
- Remain in the pose for 30 seconds before switching to the other leg.
Mayurasana (Peacock Pose)
A challenging Yoga asana, the Mayurasana works on three levels mental, physical, and sexual. It is a great asana to promote toxin elimination by enhancing the blood circulation and also by stimulating the digestive system.
How to do:
- Reach on your knees and palms. Keep the palms inwards while the wrist would face outwards.
- Gently lean forward maintaining balance on the upper arms.
- Lift the feet of the floor keeping the upper body intact.
- Lift the legs as long as the spine and legs are in the straight diagonal line.
Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand Pose)
This is another challenging asana for mental and physical detoxification. The reverse flow of blood that travels from feet to head activates and monitors the functioning of all the organs including the core, chest, legs, and head.
How to Do:
- Lie in a supine position.
- Lift the lower body upward.
- Seeking the support of the arms, continue to lift the body higher until the legs and torso are in a straight line.
- Let the body weight remain on the shoulders. Fold the arms and let that rest by the shoulders to support the body.
Viparita Karna (Leg-up-the-wall Pose)
During the performance of this pose, blood circulates from legs to the heart thereby warming up the entire lymphatic system and the nervous system as well. This is a perfect yoga asana to detoxify both physically and mentally.
How to Do:
- Lie in a supine position against a wall.
- Lift the leg up by the wall until they are in straight line.
- Let the legs rest on the wall at perpendicular degrees to the torso.
Chakrasana (Wheel Pose)
The intense stretching imparted to the back and abdomen works powerfully towards correct digestive issues and also promoting lymphatic functioning to detoxify the system completely.
How to Do:
- Lie in a supine position for performing this pose.
- Lift your legs up at the knee and fold the arms at the elbow to rest the palms by the head.
- Engage the torso and gather strength in the core to lift the upper body.
- Seek the support of the palms for maintaining balance.
- Let the head hang in between the shoulders.
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