Instep Desk

This gentle art of exercise promises to increase flexibility, a calmer state of mind and balance; not to forget yoga helps you stay youthful and healthy as well. While many opt for yoga to achieve a flat tummy, toned thighs and an altogether lean body, there are people who practice yoga in order to stay relaxed.

Nowadays health enthusiasts are more inclined towards health and fitness and resort to detox regimes. And one of the lesser-known benefits of yoga is that there are certain poses that can help expedite the detoxification process while gently resetting your body and mind.

Here is all you need to know…

Child’s Pose

The Child’s Pose is a true resting pose, and one that you can hold for longer periods of time. Start in a kneeling position with your hips resting on your heels, then bend forward and stretch your torso out over your thighs. You can lengthen your arms long in front of you or rest them back by your feet. This pose is great for your digestion and doing this repeatedly massages your intestinal tract.

Supine Spinal Twist

Start by lying on your back. Bend the right knee over to the left side of your body, twisting the spine and lower back. Use the hand to put slight pressure on the bent knee. Keep both shoulders rooted to the floor. Breathe and hold for six to 10 breaths. Repeat on the other side. The spine twist will not only detoxify your entire system and eliminate toxins from your body but will also relieve stress and keep you energized and focused.

Bow Pose

Not only does this pose help in detoxification but is very beneficial for the whole body especially your heart. This pose can look a little intimidating but all you have to do is lie down on your stomach and bend your knees, reaching back for the fronts of your ankles or shins. Lift your torso off the floor and then rock back and forth on your stomach for as long as you can. Stop and hold the pose three to five breaths then release down. Rolling around on our bellies is a great way to massage our internal organs.

Plow Pose

Lie down on your back and stretch your legs long on the floor. Use your abdominal muscles to lift your legs up and over your head. Try and touch the floor behind you with your toes and keep your legs very straight and active. Interlace your hands under your back. Hold and breathe five to 10 breaths. This pose is best for stimulating lymph and thyroid glands in the neck. Plow pose strengthens and stretches the back muscles, aligning the spine and improving your posture. It also relieves digestive issues by stimulating the abdominal organs, ovaries, bladder and kidney.

Wide-legged Forward Bend

Step your feet about one leg-length apart and make sure the outer edges of your feet are parallel to the edge of your mat. Put your hands on your hips and reach skywards with the crown of your head. Keep the back long and strong as you bend forward. You can either keep the hands on the hips or place them under your shoulders on the mat. Stay for five breaths, then take your hands back to your hips to come up out of the pose with a long spine. This pose reverses the pull of gravity, encouraging circulation of blood throughout the body as well as fluid to lymph nodes. Apart from that, this pose lengthens the spinal column and the folding motion also squeezes the belly, which moves things along for digestion.