Yoga To Facilitate Detoxing

How Does the Body Detox?

There are 3 main systems involved in the elimination and detoxification of waste in the body:

Circulatory system
Lymphatic system
Digestive system

The circulatory system pumps blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen, and carrying waste products away from the cells of the body.  The digestive system processes the food we eat.  It allows nutrients to absorb and waste products to be detoxified and eliminated through the liver and large intestine.  The lymphatic system collects waste from the extracellular fluid and takes it to the lymph nodes where bacteria and other waste products are eliminated.  It is then returned to the blood.  The lymphatics don’t have a pump like the circulatory system.  The only way lymph can move is through movement and massage.

Yoga is perfect companion to facilitate the circulation of blood, the pumping of the lymph, and the movement of waste in the large intestine.

How does yoga facilitate detox?

Most forms of vigorous exercise stimulate all three systems of elimination to some extent, thereby helping the body in its quest to detox. But yoga, with its focus on systematically stretching and compressing every part of the body, is particularly well suited to keeping the waste-removal departments of the body functioning well.

Yogic breathing also plays an important role in promoting detoxification. We have as many bad habits in breathing as we do in every other area of our lives. Sitting with poor posture impedes the lungs from inflating fully, and our chronic state of low-grade stress often leads to a clenched diaphragm. As a result, we don’t take in as much oxygen when we inhale, or expel as much of the carbon dioxide when we exhale.

Yogic breathing helps clear out carbon dioxide from the lung tissue stimulates the organs of digestion and can, over time, retrain the diaphragm to move freely. And when the diaphragm moves with its natural fluidity, the abdominal organs are massaged and the lungs are fully emptied with every breath—not just the ones you take on the yoga mat.

In addition to its physical benefits, yoga aids in mental detox as well.   When we have stress, fear, anxiety and depression…. These emotions are carried in our body.  Yoga helps to clear the toxic and stagnant thoughts by clearing the stress in our body.   It also teaches us to move from the chaotic mind to the present moment through our breath.

Yoga poses for detoxing

All of yogic breathing and poses would be great for assisting the detox process.  However, there are three main poses that I will focus on here.

1. Spinal Twist

It is based upon the idea that the twisting motion, combined with full deep breaths, assists your body in gently squeezing and moving the toxins through your body – like gently squeezing and wringing out a sponge.

2.  Downward Dog

This is a well-known pose by name and has many benefits.  One of the benefits as we are describing here is with circulation and lymph flow.  Also, by the nature of your position, it is also a gentle abdominal stretch and digestive aid.

3.  Legs Up the Wall Pose

By opposing gravity, the flow of circulation and lymph is enhanced.  Additionally, as you rest on your back, it soothes your nerves and allows your body to go into a parasympathetic mode rather than the daily fight or flight, stress response mode it may typically be in.

All three of these yoga poses for detox can be done in a sequence or practice that can be done daily.