The end of year is synonymous with sharing good food and a celebratory glass or two with loved ones, and whilst we encourage you to enjoy the season mindfully the increase in indulgent food can oftentimes leave our digestive system feeling a little sluggish.
Our Movement Director Amy G, has curated three yoga poses to help support the body’s natural detoxification process by rinsing out the digestive organs and releasing any stagnant energy in the body; leaving you feeling refreshed and ready for the New Year.
Pose 1: Toe Sit
Very stimulating in nature, this pose opens up the base of the feet, ankles and toes which nourishes all the meridian channels of the lower body. A great place to start to energetically restore energy, increase digestive function, and support detoxification.
The organ meridian channels of the kidneys, bladder, stomach, spleen, liver and gallbladder all begin or end in the toes which makes this shape so beneficial to our physical and emotional body.
How to:
- You may want to pad up your knees with an extra mat or blanket.
- Come to a kneeling position with hands on the earth, tuck your toes under so the weight is on the balls of your feet.
- Gently ease your bum back to the heels and sit upright.
- Relax the backs of the palms on your thighs and take mindful breaths in and out. Stay for 1-2mins.
- To come out, come to all fours and roll out your ankles and squeeze your toes to release.
- To modify: Stand up on your knees for a few breaths and then sit back down or lean forward and bring some weight in your hands on the earth or on some cushions for extra support.
Pose 2: Wide Leg Stretch with Side Bend
How to:
- Come to a seat and extend both your legs out to the sides.
- Lift up as tall as you can and gently lean over to the right side. Let your right hand land down your leg as far as feels good and extend the opposite arm up and over head.
- Take active breaths through the nose and keep extending as you exhale.
- Stay for 10-15 breaths.
- To come out: pull your body back upright on an inhale and repeat on the opposite side.
- You can add in a forward fold here, sliding your torso as far forward as possible in between the legs. Hold for 1-2mins.
- To come out: Ease your body back upright, hold under your knees and help your legs back together.
Please note: Feel free to pad up your knees with a folded blanket or sit on something to give your lower back some extra space.
Pose 3: Seated Twist
How to:
- From a seated position, bend your right knee on the floor and place your heel next to your hip.
- Cross your left foot over the right knee and press it down into the earth so your knee remains upright.
- Keep the weight even in both sit bones.
- As you inhale, lift your spine upright, as you exhale, wrap your right arm around the thigh or place your elbow outside the thigh and twist to the left. Place your left fingertips on the earth and use your arms as a bit of leverage to twist deeper with each exhale.
- To come out: Unwind the body on an inhale, extend both your legs and balance with a full breath. Repeat on the opposite side.
Please note: if this position isn’t accessible with both knees bent, extend the bottom leg out long.
Interested in learning more?
You can explore more yoga, pilates and meditation videos on our MoveOnline platform here.