Yoga poses can help detox your body

Did you know that there are specific yoga poses that can help to detox the body?

Wringing out the internal organs through movements such as twists helps to compress the internal organs; and upon coming out of the pose, fresh blood and oxygen rush in to the organs.

As a certified yoga instructor, I love detoxing yoga poses because not only are they great for your internal organs, but also they help improve mobility in the spine.

When you perform twists, your spine rotates. Typically throughout the day we are only moving forward and backwards with our spine. Twists help to create more space and movement within the spinal column, which can help with improve posture and reduce back pain.

Twisting Chair Pose

Brian Ernst/Sun-Times

Standing upright, bring your feet together so that they touch.

Place your hands on your hips, and lower your hips back into a Chair Pose. Act is if you’re literally about the sit on a chair!

Pull your navel in to support your low back, and press down evenly through both feet.

Bring the hands into prayer position at your chest, and then slowly twist to the right.

Bring the upper arms to the outside of the right thigh, and press the left elbow into the right thigh. While in this position, check to make sure the left knee is in line with the right knee. You do not want the left knee to be further forward than your right knee. Hold this for three breaths.

You’ll feel your legs working and also a gentle tugging on your low back and spine in this twist. Slowly come out of this, and re-set before going to the left.

Low Lunge Twist

Step your right foot forward and your left foot back and keep the feet hips-distance apart.

Come down into a low lunge, and track the right knee over the right ankle.

From here, place the left hand down on the inside of the right foot, and pull the navel in as you revolve your body toward the right.

Reach your right arm up and turn your head to look up at your right hand. Reach through the left heel and press down through the right heel. Line up your right arm with your right shoulder, left shoulder, and all the way down to your left hand.

Relax the shoulders, and breathe here. Take three deep breaths, and then release into the lunge.

Slowly switch legs, and step your left foot forward and right foot back. Repeat on this side.

Revolving Triangle

Brian Ernst/Sun-Times

From a standing position, step your left foot back and keep your feet as wide as your hips.

Turn the left foot so that it’s on a slight diagonal towards the upper left corner of your yoga mat.

Place your hands on your hips, and slowly fold forward over your right leg. You’ll feel a stretch in the right hamstring.

Release the hands down to touch your right shin or if you’re more flexible, your hands may reach the floor. If your hands are on your shin, place your left hand on your shin as you rotate from the waistline to the right and reach the right arm up.

Hold this position for 3 breaths.

If you’re more flexible, your left hand or fingertips will touch the mat on the inside of the right foot and you’ll be deeper in the pose.