Twists with Benefits

The holidays have come and gone as they always do.  As fun, stressful or enjoyable as they were, they probably left us feeling a little lethargic and overindulged.  Now it’s time to detox!

If you take my class regularly, you know that twisting is the focus of the month for January.  Almost all styles of yoga incorporate twisting into the practice.  So, what’s so important about twisting anyway?

Twisting cleanses and detoxifies the internal organs.  Think about ringing out a wet rag.  When we twist, the liver, kidneys, stomach, pancreas and spleen are being massaged and cleansed of toxins.  When practiced regularly, twisting relieves abdominal bloating and promotes better digestion.  And it’s more pleasant than drinking wheatgrass juice.

If you don’t use it, you lose it.  When we twist, we are lengthening the muscles, tendons and ligaments around the spine.  A lack of twisting can lead to a lack of mobility, especially if you live a more sedentary lifestyle (desk work, lots of travel, etc).  For the same reason, twisting helps to relieve back pressure and pain.

The good news is twisting is easy to incorporate into your life whether it be at yoga class, home or work.  Twisting in your chair is simple and discrete – just remember to lengthen your spine before you twist.

Happy Detoxing!


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