I’ve got a confession to make. I really do enjoy some good old fashioned toxins. As a matter of fact, I’m happy to report that I just last night I took my dog with me to go get ice cream.
I ordered a Mint Chip cone (are there even other choices?) and sat outside watching the world go by as dusk fell. This felt wildly out of character for me, in a way that was totally refreshing. As refreshing as Mint Chocolate Chip. I probably broke about 4 of my self-imposed guidelines for my own wellness tonight, but it was totally worth it and I had zero regrets – until I woke up in the middle of the night with a stomach ache!!
Indulgence, in moderation, is our birth right. Thank goodness, so is some good detoxifying yoga to balance it all out. Now, I’m not saying go ahead and eat ice cream every night, and as long as you do these 5 poses you’ll be cool. Just so we are clear. Be careful to let sugar remain a TREAT and not an addiction. There is quite a fine line here! That being said, if you like to TOXIFY, be it sugar, alcohol, whatever… then you may consider DETOXIFYING every once in a while.
Here are 5 yoga poses that can help to stimulate digestion and stimulate lymphatic flow, helping to move the icky sticky reside of HM let’s say ICE CREAM, our of your body. Wait at least 2 hours after eating before trying these poses.
1. Eagle Pose
From a standing position, bend the knees slightly and cross the right leg over the left. If possible, double wrap your right leg around so that the top of your right foot presses down the back of your left calf. Take the arms wide and wrap the right elbow under the left. Press the palms of the hands together. Bend your knees slightly and lean back so that your head is over your hips. Lift your elbows away from your chest, parallel to the floor, and reach your fingertips to the ceiling. Let your shoulders fall away from your ears. Hold for a few deep, mindful breathes and repeat on the other side.
2. Revolved Crescent Lunge
From standing, take a long step backwards with your left foot as you bend the right knee to a square, knee over ankle. Square your hips in line with the front of your mat, then round your back slightly to take your left elbow over your right knee. Press your palms together in prayer, left elbow pointing towards the ceiling, reach out through the crown of your head and lengthen, twist deeper on the exhale. Keep the twist in your spine, not in your hips. Hold for a few deep, mindful breathes and repeat on the other side. Modification: Drop the back knee to the ground before you take the twist.
3. Half-Lotus Forward Fold
Start seated with legs straight out in front, sitting tall. Bend your right knee and take your knee out the the side. Close the knee joint completely and you slide your right foot into your left hip crease, so your heal presses into your lower abdomen. Extend your spine long, draw your belly in and root the tops of your femur bones towards the floor, then fold over your left leg, bringing your hands to your foot or to the floor. You will feel your heal pressing into your belly. Modification: instead of taking your foot into lotus, if this hurts your knee, simply press your foot against your left inner thigh and fold from here.
4. Half Spinal Twist
From seated, bend your knees and put your feet on the floor. Draw your right heal inward towards your left outer hip, with your right knee pointing forward on the floor. Cross your left foot over your right knee and press the bottom of your left foot down into the floor. Twist to the left, crossing your right elbow over your right knee. Tent your left fingers behind you for support and to deepen your twist. Inhale lengthen the spine, exhale twist.
5. Camel
Kneel on the floor with your legs hip width and your toes curled underneath you. Bring your hands to your hips with your thumbs facing up on your low back. Lift your heart to the sky and get length in the side body. As you curl your heart back, keep your hips over your knees, squeezing your thighs together and rotating your inner thighs back to give your more space in your lower back. Reach one of both hands back to reach your ankles or feet.
If you want to learn more about cleansing and do some Detox Yoga with me, join me this Sunday, 6pm, at Enerchi. It’s your last chance this year to learn about detox with me – and you will get recipes, sample meal plans, and a gift bag with some detox goodies. More info here: Sign up soon, space is limited !!!
