Detoxification in Yoga - How Is It Achieved?

Introduction:

Detox yoga is a flow that includes various positions, including twists and bends, to stimulate our organs and help remove waste from our bodies. The liver, kidneys, and digestive organs constantly receive metabolic waste from the body's blood and lymphatic system. Urine, sweat, solid waste, and even exhalations filter and eliminate this waste and other toxins absorbed from the environment.

What Is Detoxification in Yoga?

The detox technique used in yoga involves producing heat through perspiration or a heated environment. The body's secondary self-detox system is sweat. Toxins that the liver and kidneys cannot eliminate are retained in fat cells. Sweat has been found to contain heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. BPA (bisphenol-A) has also been found in trace amounts of sweat.

BPA can be found in various industrial plastics and hygiene products. But a night of excessive consumption of alcohol or fatty foods cannot be sweated out through exercise. Anything that goes inside the body must pass through the body's systems to be either eliminated as waste or stored as nutrients or fat.

However, sweat has other advantages. Sweating is beneficial to skin health. The skin is hydrated and exfoliated by water, minerals, and salt. Sweat contains uric acid, which prevents dry skin. Additionally, sweating cleans the oils, dirt, and bacteria present in the skin. The pH of the skin should be the same as that of sweat.

Other advantages of sweating include:

• Sweating causes the release of endorphins, which act as natural pain relievers.

• Dermcidin, a naturally occurring antimicrobial found in perspiration, is effective in battling germs, including those that cause the common cold.

• Sweating keeps the body from overheating by cooling it down naturally.

Showering as soon as possible after a sweaty yoga session is crucial. Sweating can mix bacteria and impurities on the skin's surface. Additionally, the sweat produced by the apocrine glands causes post-workout body odor.

What Are the Yoga Poses That Help to Detox the Body?

The detoxification processes in the body are built to function independently of external influences. Consistent practice of yoga, including challenging asanas and pranayama, can enhance the effectiveness of the body's natural detoxification process.

Breath of Fire:

1. Sit tall with a straight spine, with the palms on the knees, and keep the eyes closed.

2. The diaphragm quickly pulls the belly in during an exhalation, while the belly relaxes and broadens during an inhalation. The rate of inhalation and exhalation is rapid but even.

3. It allows one to open the mouth and pant like a dog when practicing breath of fire. Keep the mouth closed and breathe fire after establishing the quick pattern.

Ardha Madhyasana:

1. With the legs crossed, place a blanket under the buttocks to help with hip pain and keep the spine straight.

2. With the left foot on the ground, the knee pointed upward, and the left leg crossed over the right.

3. Exhale to the left leg after inhaling and lengthening the spine.

4. The left hand is placed behind the body, and the right elbow braces outside the leg to support the body.

5. Hold the position for three to five breaths. Repeat on the opposite side.

Surya Namaskar:

Sun salutations cause the body to heat up in addition to flexing and extending the spine. The heart rate rises when performing sun salutations more quickly. A few cycles of sun salutations can be practiced to bring the spine back to normal between twists and maintain a high level of internal body heat.

Parivrtta Utkatasana:

1. Stand in Tadasana (mountain pose) on a non-slip yoga mat, feet close together or hip-width apart.

2. Hands should be placed on hips.

3. Letting the knees bend, tilt the pelvis forward while pointing the tailbone back.

4. Let the torso slant forward.

5. Rotate to the right until the left elbow is in contact with the right thigh.

6. Put the hands in the Anjali Mudra (prayer position).

7. Placing a block between the thighs will increase the intensity.

8. Before returning to Tadasana, continue holding for three to five breaths.

9. Repeat on the opposite side.

Adho Mukdha Savasana:

The downward dog pose is more intense, generates internal heat, and engages the core muscles when the abdominals are engaged.

1. Start in a downward dog pose and lift the right leg into a down-dog split.

2. Exhale and move into Phalakasana (plank pose), bringing the right knee to the belly.

3. Return to the down-dog split by inhaling.

4. Exhale and move into plank pose, bringing the right knee to the right elbow.

5. Return to the down-dog split by inhaling.

6. Exhale and move into plank pose by pulling the right knee to the left elbow.

7. Inhale and return to the down-dog split.

8. Repeat on the opposite side.

Parvitta Anjanaseyana:

1. On a non-skid yoga mat, take the mountain pose or Tadasana.

2. Fold into Uttanasana to the front (standing forward fold).

3. Kneel and place the hands on the outside of the feet on the mat.

4. Back up with the left foot until the right knee can bend and the right shin is vertical.

5. Allow the left knee to touch the ground.

6. When arms are raised toward the sky, elevate the torso to an upright position. Keep the left hip joint from collapsing toward the floor. To protect the hip joint's labrum and cartilage, lift the hips slightly toward the sky.

7. Make the Anjali Mudra with the hands together at chest height and slowly rotate to the right.

8. The left elbow should be hooked outside the knee.

9. Hold the position for three to five breaths. Change sides.

Conclusion:

While the physical removal of toxins is a major focus of detox, yoga is considered more than just a physical activity. Traditional yoga also includes practices for physical purification known as shatkarmas or shatkriyas (purifications of the body). They have kapalabhati (breath of fire), trataka (gazing at a fixed point), neti (nasal wash), dhauti (digestive tract cleaning), and nauli (self-massage of the abdominal organs using the abdominal muscles). Furthermore, in addition to the asanas, breathing techniques, and meditation that are a part of traditional yoga practiced in India, there is also a focus on a plant-based diet.