Yoga for daily life: Practice can help you detox!

Ok, so there are some exaggerated claims out there about the relationship between yoga and how it can help you detox (for example, ‘yoga cleanses your liver’ might be a tad strong). I can’t claim to understand the full details of this relationship, but I can say with absolute conviction that some yoga poses can support the natural detoxification process by increasing circulation, compressing and twisting internal organs, and encouraging relaxation.

Poses which incorporate a twist can be particularly beneficial and, most importantly, can feel really nice for the spine. There is something about exploring the flexibility of our spines – and tuning into every vertebrae from the top of the cervical spine, right down the the tailbone that’s rebalancing in itself.

Here is my favourite ‘detoxing’ yoga posture – the supine twist.

* Lie on the ground, hugging your right knee into chest

* ‘T’ arms out to either side, and allow right knee to fall to the left

* You can stay with a neutral neck or, if it feels good, look to the right. You can also take left hand to right thigh to allow its weight to ground right leg

* Stay here for at least five deep breaths, then repeat on the other side.

Top tips: You have no excuse with this one and it’s practiced beautifully in bed. Try incorporating yoga poses into your daily life as much as possible and find some new and unique ways to introduce them. The worst that can happen is a few strange looks! Deep breathing is essential. Work with your breath to inhale and lengthen, find space and exhale to deepen the pose. Draw the breath into as much of your body as possible. To go deeper into this pose, keep you top leg straight and hold your toes with the opposite hand.

To book a private yoga session contact info@ibizaretreats.com or join us for a full immersion on a retreat!