Yoga for Detoxification

One of the things I like about hot yoga classes is that, after the class, I feel wrung out like wet towel. It's not a feeling I'm looking for every day, but on the days I need it, it feels so so good. It's as though before the class I was filled up with junky-mess and then afterwards I sweat it all free.

Detox classes, or classes that focus on detoxifying the body, can have a similar effect. Focusing on gentle or more vigorous abdominal twists combined with deep breathing, detox classes can feel like a renewal. I took a class that focused on detoxing yesterday. Near the end of class, the instructor led us into Ananda Balasana. Mixing up the two common English translations for the pose, she said, "Now, come into Happy Bug or Dead Baby." It took me a second to understand what just happened, but the more I thought about it, the funnier it became. A detox class ending with an unintended joke? Even better.

Yoga for Detoxification

Drink lots of water afterwards, more so than you usually would. Also, remember that before coming into twists, it is best to lengthen the spine. Inhale length, exhale twist. 
  1. Sukhasana (Easy Pose)
  2. Nadi Shodna Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breath), 5-10 minutes
  3. Face stretches. Make lots of funny faces and deep Simhasana (Lion's Breath)
  4. Matsyendrasana (Seated Twist). Be really gentle here!
  5. Repeat other direction
  6. Taking one arm to floor by seat, other arm up and over for side stretch. Repeat other side.
  7. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
  8. Pavana Muktasana (Standing Wind Relieving Pose)
  9. Vrksasana (Tree Pose)
  10. Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana (Half Bound Lotus), or any variations of your choice
  11. Repeat steps 7-9 on the other side
  12. Take hand to opposite hip and other hand to lower back for gentle standing twist. Repeat other side
  13. Utthita Trikonasana (triangle pose) 
  14. Parvritta Trikonasana (reverse triangle pose) 
  15. Repeat steps 13 and 14 on other side
  16. Uthitta Parsvakonasana (extended angle pose) 
  17. Parvritta Parsvakonasana (reverse angle pose)
  18. Repeat steps 16 and 17 on other side
  19. Prasarita Padottonasana (wide legged fwd bend) with twist, bringing torso towards one leg and then the other
  20. Parsvottonasana focusing on pulling the lower belly in to make space for the forward bend. Repeat on other side.
  21. Tadasana
  22. Garbasana (Child's Pose). Hold for 2-3 minutes, propping head up on pillow if it feels the need to be higher than heart level
  23. Walk hands to one side and then other for gentle side stretch
  24. Supta Pavana Muktasana (Reclined Wind Relieving Pose). Repeat other side
  25. Supta Balasana (Reclined Child's Pose, bringing both knees into chest)
  26. Supta Matsyendrasana (Reclined Twists). Repeat other side
  27. Savasana



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