There are many aspects to yoga, and even though its main goal is to drive spiritual progress and help practitioners reach enlightenment, one can also make use of the many physical health benefits it offers. Yoga has been designed as a holistic practice aimed at the development of both mind and body. It works not just on your muscles but also on your joints, nerves, and organs.
Your liver and kidneys take care of pretty much all the detoxification functions. Doing certain yoga poses regularly can help your body flush out toxins better and maintain all systems at optimum levels. Think of it as oiling the machine daily so that it runs smoothly. Here are 9 yoga poses that you can do daily to make sure your body gets a daily detox.
1. Revolved Chair Pose
Squat down into chair pose, which is basically a squat with the feet and knees a shoulder-width apart.
Put your hands together at the center of your chest like you are praying.
Twist to the left and touch your right elbow to the outside of your left knee.
Come back to the center, and then twist to the other side. Repeat this 5 times.
2. Wide-Legged Standing Forward Fold
Stand with knees shoulder-width apart, and bend down, reaching your left hand to your right ankle.
Reach your right arm up toward the ceiling, lean back slightly, and look up towards your right hand.
Take a few deep breaths and repeat on the other side.
3. Cat-Cow Pose
Begin on your hands and knees, with your knees directly below your hips and your arms perpendicular to the floor.
Look at the floor and round your spine toward the ceiling. This is cat pose. Hold for a couple of breaths.
To enter cow pose, let your belly sink all the way down towards the floor and lift your head so you are facing forward. Hold for a few breaths and repeat.
4. Sphinx Pose
Lying face down, prop yourself up on your forearms, which should be parallel to each other.
Press down on your hands and forearms, lifting your chest up and forward.
Hold this pose for a few breaths and then relax.
5. Supine Twist
Simply lie on the ground with your arms out to your sides.
Lift one leg straight up and then allow it to gently fall out to the opposite side, all the way to the floor.
Take a few deep breaths and repeat on the other side.
6. Boat Pose
Sit with your knees bent. Tilt your upper body backward and lift your feet off the ground.
Extend your arms forward, parallel to the floor, and stretch your feet and legs together so that your legs are between your arms, straightening them if possible.
Continue to breathe steadily. Hold for 10-20 seconds, then release your legs.
7. Bridge Pose
Lie on your back with your arms to your sides, palms down, and bend your knees.
Push your hips up in the air while keeping your thighs and feet parallel.
Hold for at least 30 seconds then relax and come down.
8. Shoulder Stand
Attempt this pose only if you feel comfortable. It’s also good to have someone with you in case you go off balance.
Lie down on your back. Bring your knees up to your chest and then push your feet into the air.
Use your hands to support your back and keep it straight.
Take a few deep breaths then slowly lower back onto the mat.
9. Three-legged Down Dog
Go into downward dog pose, and lift one leg up in the air as high as you can go while keeping balance.
Hold for a few deep breaths then repeat with the other leg.
