5 Simple Yoga Poses To Detox the Body

Are you looking for a summer detox? You don’t necessarily need to do a juice cleanse or a special diet to kick your body into gear. The below five yoga poses will help aid your digestion, increase your circulation, and give you a boost of energy that will leave you feeling refreshed.

These poses are simple – meaning that you can do them almost anywhere with just a few minutes and a little floor space. You can try one at a time or all together for a small sequence.

Of course, please always consult your doctor if you have any underlying medical conditions.

Above all, take your time, be gentle with yourself, and breathe deeply for the best results.

Forward Fold

Forward fold reverses your blood flow, encouraging circulation throughout your body. Not only that, but the folding position also compresses the belly, massaging your internal organs and aiding digestion. Be mindful and gentle with yourself in this pose and don’t force your body into any position.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and place your hands on your hips.
Inhale and begin to slowly bend forward, squeezing your shoulder blades together and keeping your core engaged.
Bend your knees as generously as you need to and let your belly rest on the tops of your thighs.
Once there, allow your head to hang. Place your hands on the ground or hold your elbows, rocking from side to side.
Breathe deeply for 5-10 breaths.
Rise slowly and gently to your original position.

Seated Twist

The seated twist will compress your abdomen, massaging your internal organs. Not only that, but it also temporarily cuts off blood flow to your digestive organs, reintroducing freshly oxygenated blood when you release the pose, encouraging circulation in your digestive tract.

Begin seated on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you.
Sit up straight, drawing energy upward, and bend your knees as needed for comfort.
Slowly bend your left knee completely to place your foot flat on the ground.
Reach your right arm around your left knee and twist your body left, following the movement with your head to look over your left shoulder.
Place your left arm on the floor behind you to enhance the stretch and increase support.
Hold the post for 30 breaths before gently releasing and switching to the other side.

Child’s Pose

Child’s Pose is a restorative one that can reset and refresh. Be sure to breathe deeply into your “back body” in this pose to feel a nice stretch. This post also compresses your lower stomach, stimulating digestion.

Sit on your knees and lower your hips to your heels.
Lean forward to rest your abdomen on your thighs.
With your forehead on the ground, place your arms on either side of you, palms facing up.
Allow your shoulders to slump forward, stretching the back body.
Breathe deeply, softening the body with each exhale.
Hold for ten breaths.

Reclined Supine Twist

This twist is energizing, but it is also relaxing as it inherently massages your internal organs, also encouraging blood flow in your digestive tract.

Lie on the floor, back down, and hug your knees into your chest before dropping them gently to the ground with your knees bent.
Push your feet forward, straightening your legs.
Lift your left knee to your chest to hug it, keeping your right foot extended.
Hold your knee with your right arm and extend your left arm straight out to the side, with your palm facing down.
On an exhale, slowly bring the left knee over to the right-hand side of your body, twisting your abdomen.
Gently turn your head to the left.
Breathe deeply for 20-30 seconds.
Bring your knee back to the center on an inhale.
Repeat on the other side.

Legs Up the Wall

The Legs Up the Wall pose reverses your blood flow, encouraging circulation of blood to your abdomen and head. Be sure to move thoughtfully and carefully in this pose. Use a pillow or a blanket to support your lower back during this pose.

Place the blanket or pillow in front of the wall, leaving a gap of several inches.

Place your hips in between the gap and slowly turn to rest your back on the blanket, lifting your legs up the wall.
Use your elbows to adjust your hips as needed. The blanket should be situated under your lower back.
Keep your knees bent as needed and take any breaks you need by bending the knees completely towards yourself.
Rest your hands gently on your stomach and relax your shoulders.
Breathe deeply. This pose may be held as long as desired.
To come out of the posture, release the knees and hug them into the chest, turning slowly to one side.
Use your palms to push yourself up.

-Rebecca Clayton

Photo by Elina Fairytale from Pexels