Yoga is known for stimulating vital organs of your body. It holds true even for the liver, one of the largest organs of your body. The liver has significant functions to perform, which increases the need for its care. It filters the blood coming from the digestive tract and detoxifies chemicals that enter your body. If you don’t take proper care, it could result in many diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallstones or even cancer. A healthy lifestyle is what you need to nurture your liver. And the best lifestyle change you could make is to embrace yoga. It can revitalize your liver and keep it healthy and functioning optimally. Here are a few yoga poses that promote good liver health.
Big Toe Pose
Stand upright with your feet parallel to each other. Make sure that the feet are at least six inches apart and your legs are straight. Now contract your thigh muscles to lift your kneecaps outward. While keeping your legs straight, exhale and bend forward. Your torso and head should move together as one unit. Grip your big toes with the index and middle finger. Press your toes down against your fingers. Inhale, lift your torso, keeping your elbows straight. Do this without putting pressure on any body parts. Exhale when you release the torso and bend toward your toes. Repeat this process.
Downward-Facing Dog
Come onto the floor on your hands and knees. This looks like a tabletop position. Your hands should be slightly forward of your shoulders and your knees should be below your hips. Spread the fingers wide apart and tuck your toes under. While you exhale, lift your knees off the floor. Reach your pelvis up toward the ceiling, then draw your sit bones toward the wall behind you. Gently straighten your legs. This will give you a upside-down V pose. Press the floor away from you as you lift through the pelvis. Press your index fingers into the floor. From these points lift along your inner arms from the wrists to the tops of the shoulders. Keep your head between the upper arms. Stay in the pose for 1-2 minutes.
Cat Pose
Be in a tabletop position with your hands and knees on the floor. Your hips should be placed directly over your knees and shoulders above your hands. Relax your neck and head, with your eyes looking at the ground. Slowly round your back and as you exhale curve it toward the ceiling. Draw your belly to your spine. Slowly come back to the starting position and repeat the pose. This pose is often clubbed with cow pose during the inhale part.
Cow Pose
Stay on your hands and knees in a tabletop position, like the starting position of cat pose. Your knees should be directly below your hips. Your wrists and elbows should be in line and perpendicular to the floor. Keep your looks on the floor. Inhale and lift your chest toward the ceiling. Your belly should sink toward the floor in the process. Raise your head to look straight forward. Exhale and come back to the neutral position. For best results, pair it with cow posse on the exhale part.
Cobra Pose
Lie on your belly with your toes flat on the floor. Keep your hands underneath your shoulders. Keep your elbows parallel and close to your torso. Press the tops of your feet and thighs firmly into the mat. As you inhale, slowly lift your chest toward the ceiling and straighten your arms. Maintain a height at which you can keep a connection through your pubis to your legs. Tilt your head back and look up. Make sure that your feet are still close together. Do not strain yourself too much though.
