5 Yoga Poses for A Spring Detox
One of yoga’s many benefits include riding the body of toxins that we can store in our organs. Here are 5 of my favourite yoga poses that help detox the body. The poses include lots of twists to remove toxins, poses to stimulate digestion and the thyroid gland and all of them will aim to kick start the digestive fire. Start with a short warm up with a few sun salutations before you begin.
Revolved Crescent Lunge with Extended Arms – Utthita Parivṛtta Aṅjaneyāsana
Step your right leg forward into a lunge position. Make sure your knee is directly above your ankle. Place your left palm onto the ground underneath your shoulder. The bottom palm is rooted to the earth for support. Extend your right hand to the sky as you twist your body towards your bent leg. Gaze is towards the sky or towards the earth if your neck is sensitive. You can also lower your back knee to ground for a easier modification. Hold for 5-7 breaths then repeat the same instructions on the opposite side.
Revolved Triangle Pose – Parivrtta Trikonasana
Starting with your two feet together, step your right leg back 1 metre and angle your toes out to 3 o’clock. Place your hands on your hips to ensure they are squared to the front. Place your left hand on your hip and on an inhale raise the right palm to the sky. Exhale, send your body forward bending at the hips. Take your right palm to the outside of your left foot, palm to touch the floor. If you don’t touch the floor, use a brick or two to raise the floor up. Extend your left palm to the sky, palm facing away from you. Hold for 5-7 breaths. Exhale, look down to your feet. Inhale engage udyana banda (core) and reverse out of the pose. Repeat on the other side.
Wide-Legged Standing Forward Fold with a Twist – Parivrtta Prasarita Padottanasana
Place your hands on your hips and step your feet out wide, approximately 1.5 meters apart (or where is comfortable). Inhale look to the sky, exhale lead with your heart bending at the hips and placing your hands on the floor below your shoulders. Inhale reach the left hand to the sky, taking your gaze with your hand. Press into the right hand on the floor, twisting from the shoulders. Hold for 5 – 7 breaths and repeat on the other side.
Head-to-Knee Forward Bend Pose – Marīchyāsana I
Sit seated on the ground with both legs extended in front of you. Bend the right knee into the chest, placing the foot one palm’s distance from the knee. Place the left hand behind your body, palm facing on the ground. Inhale raise your right hand into the sky, exhale extend the hand forward to reach your toes, then send the arm around the right knee finding your left hand behind your body. It can be tricky at first. If you cant reach your palms behind your body, not to worry, just hold onto your t-shirt and leggings. As your practice continues, this pose will be come easier and your nose will edge closer to your knee. Hold for 5-7 breaths and repeat on the other side.
Sitting Half Spinal Twist – Ardha Matsyendrasana
Sit with a tall spine with your legs stretched out. Bend the left leg underneath the body with your heel touching the outside of your right hip. Place your right ankle against the left knee and make sure both sit bones are touching the floor.
Inhale lift the left hand to the sky then twist your body to the right looking over the right shoulder. Connect your left elbow to the outside of the right knee or if this is difficult to manage, you can hug your knee with the left arm (as shown below). The right hand should be placed a little behind your body with the palm resting on the ground. Inhale lengthen the spine, exhale twist a little further. Hold the pose for 5-7 breaths before releasing. Repeat the same instructions on the opposite side.
Twist are detoxifying because of the squeeze and release action. The organs of detoxification and elimination are compressed during the twist and when we release the twist, fresh blood can flow flushing out the toxins. If you haven’t tried them before, please take it easy. Also, if you are pregnant, all twists should be avoided. Let me know if you give them a try!
FIT KIT NOTES
My favourite sock and hosiery brand have recently launched an activewear range. The functional yet fashionable range has clean and simple lines. The leggings are super thick and supportive and the mint green t-shirt provides lots of freedom of movement. The sizes run small I went up a size and felt a medium was the best fit.
Find my outfit at Flybery:
Falke Maddison Low Support Bra
Photography: Natasha // RedAgency
Location: Clickstay Villa
