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Yoga for Detoxifying and Renewing

On January 14, 2013 in General by jessi

As I move through my practice, I ring out my body and organs to clear out toxins. But I am also doing this same thing to my negative thoughts and feelings. When this happens, we can work through the rough patches instead of stuffing them deep down inside or having a meltdown. When we acknowledge our feelings, both physical and emotional, we can then allow them to release into our system, acknowledge them, and let them go.

When you need a quick boost, here are some awakening and detoxifying movements/postures to help you create more space and declutter any heavy feelings.

1) Twists: Twisting postures literally ring out the body and send the same message into the mind. Just make sure to keep your hips steady and your spine lengthened each and every time you twist.

2) Forward Folds: With a lengthened spine, these postures can help relieve back pressure by decreasing the amount of OVER stretch that can occur in the lower back (think overstretched rubber band). Folding also compresses the organs and squeezes out toxins (like a tube of toothpaste).

3) Hip Openers: Our hips are the storage bins of our emotions. When we don’t want to deal with emotions, we stuff them away and come back to them at a later date, if ever. But the bin becomes full, squished, and tense as we crowd it. A great way to detox is to open the hips, open the bin, and let these emotions out. We also over use our hips in almost every activity we perform (from super active to super inactive) so hip openers can help release tension not only in the hips themselves, but into the lower back and knees, which connect (through other muscles) to the hips.

4) Inversions: Simple and non-taxing inversions such as legs-up-a-wall or even Shoulder Stand can bring much needed rejuvenation and recirculation into the body. When you take the pressure off of your legs and lower body, it allows fluids that can slowly accumulate in the lower body to flush back through the body, and if needed make their way out.

5) Savasana and seated meditations: These are by far this is the most important part of the practice, but often the most disregarded. Be still. Lay on your mat or take a comfortable seat. Allow the breath to flow in and out, evenly, with ease. Let your thoughts come and go, and then observe as they slowly fade. Do not judge. Just simply allow your body to rest and release, and then let your mind do the same.

If you are feeling blah, need a boost, or are just plain sad, try some of these postures to help you work through whatever it is that is cluttering your mind. As we work through our practice, we will find more ease and more space to let the lightness and love in. There is never a time that I come to this practice and feel worse afterwards. I always feel better. My heart and mind (and body if the feelings are purely physical) feels a bit lighter and clearer.

"Don't curse the darkness. Light a candle." - Ancient Chinese Proverb

By Jessi Andricks

Jessi Andricks is a Charleston, SC area yoga and fitness teacher. She specializes in a mind-body approach to fitness, to help people regain their energy and learn to fuel their lives through exercise, whole foods, and holisitic habits. Read more about Jessie at thehouseofhealthy.com.