Mubasheera Chaiwala, Author at GOQii

October 6, 2020 By Mubasheera Chaiwala Leave a Comment

5 Yoga Poses To Detoxify Your Liver

The liver is the only organ in the human body that can regenerate itself! The liver’s primary function is detoxification. The other organs like intestines, kidneys and lungs work together with the liver to ensure that toxins are transformed into less harmful substances and excreted from the body via urine, stools, sweat or breath. A regular cleansing of these organs is essential to make sure they function smoothly. So, how do you detoxify your liver? It’s simple! You can detoxify your liver by correcting your lifestyle! That’s where yoga comes into the picture.

How Can Yoga Help Detoxify Your Liver?

There are a few asanas that stimulate the digestive system and massage the internal organs such as the liver. They make the abdominal muscles stronger and elastic. They are also effective in the proper removal of waste materials. It’s always good to incorporate some form of a twist into your yoga practice. Twists detoxify and rehydrate your spinal column while releasing any tension from bad posture. With proper alignment, twist variations can also reduce back pain and improve digestion. Include these twist variations in your yoga routine to stimulate your liver, which in turn will help it function better along with other digestive organs and muscles.

1. Paschimottanasana

Sit up with the legs stretched out straight in front of you on the floor.
Keep the spine erect and toes flexed towards you.
Slowly raise both the arms straight above your head and stretch up.
Slowly breathe out and bend forward from the hip joint, chin moving toward the toes keeping the spine erect.
Place your hands on your legs, wherever they reach, without putting much effort.

2. Ardha Chakrasana
Ardha Chakrasana can be done in different variations. Both the bending asanas have varied benefits.

First take the tadasana position, raising your hands while you’re inhaling.
Now, place your both hands on the backside of your hips.
Breathe in and try to slowly backbend your upper body

3. Bhujangasana

Lie down on a mat in a prone position. Keep your feet together.
Now, place your hands on the floor at the level of your chest,
Next, raise your upper body, Extend through and deepen your stretch to create a graceful arc in your back.

4. Shashankasana
Shashankasana is one of the postures which is very easy to perform. There are some variations of shashankasana. One can do as per their comfort.

Sit comfortably in Vajrasana and keep your palms on your thighs.
Inhale and raise your hand straight upwards and stretch.
Now exhale and bend forward.
Touch your nose or chin to the ground.
Keep your arms stretched and palms on the ground.

5. Anulom Vilom
I know this is not an asana , but a Pranayama practice. I am including this because of the benefits this breathing practice has on our body internally and externally. Oxygen is pure and required by the body for every single process to take place and therefore it is vital for us to breath right and lom vilom serves the purpose, also it is my favourite !

Close the right nostril with the right thumb. Inhale slowly through the left nostril.
Remove your thumb from your right nostril, as you remove your thumb from your right nostril just exhale.
When you exhale use your middle finger to close your left nostril then inhale with your right nostril and remove the thumb from the right nostril then exhale. Repeat this process .

There are many other poses which have varied benefits. These are a few which are simple and can be performed at home. It is advisable to perform the practice as per one’s body’s capacity and avoid going beyond or forcing the body. Do consult your doctor before you begin any yoga practice.

We hope these yoga poses to detoxify your liver help you! Do leave your thoughts in the comments below. For more on yoga, check out Healthy Reads or tune in to LIVE yoga sessions by experts on GOQii Play.

#BeTheForce

April 6, 2020 By Mubasheera Chaiwala 1 Comment

Benefits of Practicing Morning Yoga at Home!

Now that you’re at home and activity levels have plummeted, it would be wise to pick up healthy habits! And nothing spells healthy better than morning yoga. There is no doubt about the benefits of ancient methods like yoga and pranayama even today.

What Do You Understand About Yoga?

What is it? Is it a form of exercise? Is it meditation? For me, yoga is a way of life. I believe the whole idea behind it is total discipline. It is physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual development. Something that is much needed during self-quarantine. It helps you balance health from a physical, mental and emotional standpoint.

Benefits of Morning Yoga

You can practice yoga in the morning and night as well, although, morning yoga is the best as it cleanses your mind and body. It energizes all day and keeps you disciplined. Let’s explore the benefits of morning yoga!

Yoga improves flexibility and posture but it’s much more effective in the morning. The fresh air helps us relax our body and make it more flexible.
We have more energy in the morning and morning yoga enhances it to last all day. Which means more intensity and focus!
Setting up a morning practice is beneficial as it creates a ritual – it sets the tone for the day. By practicing morning yoga, there are no distractions or tasks that will get in the way – so no excuses for cancelling your session in the morning.
That fresh morning air helps you deliver more oxygen to the body, breathe better and cleanses your system naturally.
It also helps your digestive system as metabolism rate is higher in the morning. It increases digestion and keeps all indigestion problems at bay.
Morning yoga boosts your brainpower and makes your brain more active to study or work.
It enhances happiness and positivity as it boosts mental clarity and relaxes you. The release of endorphins that early in the morning make your body a more physically comfortable place to live in.
Disease-fighting white blood cells in the body are able to do their best when our blood flow and lymphatic system have efficient circulation. By moving in a way that feels good first thing in the morning, we essentially ‘wake up’ all the body’s systems, which enhances the flow of circulation and gives the immune system an immediate boost. Gentle inversions like Viparita Karani, Cow Pose and Child Pose are especially effective for stimulating the immune system.
As a parent, taking time out for your own well being is difficult. Getting up early and practicing morning yoga puts your health first. Only if you are healthy, can you take care of others. A morning yoga practice is a way to know you’ve done something for yourself that day
Apart from all of the above, morning yoga regulates your sleep rhythm, balances your hormones and helps you build a healthy and consistent routine.

Asanas You Can Practice

Try these yoga poses daily in the morning to increase blood circulation, enhance and stimulate the immune system, improve body function and strengthen your cells, tissues, glands and organs! Also, these poses will help you beat stress, anxiety and depression.

Suryanamaskar – for over all body workout
Jivah Bandh – manages and relieves stress
Simha Mudra – decreases stress and prepares you to face the day by increasing your willpower.
Sheetali Pranayama – is a process which can cool the body down and give a feeling of calmness.
Bhramari Pranayama – is one of the great breathing exercises to release the mind of disturbance, anxiety or frustration and get rid of anger.
Om Recitation – excellent breathing exercises for meditation. Brings stability of mind and improves memory power
Shavasana – removes nervousness, adds a sense of presence. Very important to start our day peacefully.
Tratak Drishti – to increase concentration.
Anulom Vilom Pranayama – is the best way of balancing the Tri Dosas in our body. Our body gets ill when Tri Dosas are not in balance. Vaat, Pitta and Kaffa are known as the Tri Dosas (Tri means “three” and the meaning of dosas is impurities). All three are the cause of all diseases. So, it is important to balance them. The way to do that is to practice Anulom Vilom Pranayama regularly. It is the simplest and best way for this.
Kapalbhati Pranayama – generates heat in the system to help dissolve toxins and waste matter. It adds luster and beauty to your face and helps your skin glow!

If yoga is practiced regularly in the morning, it will help you face the day with balance and a practical approach. Ensure that you do not eat at least 2-3 hours before you begin your practice. So try morning yoga and do share your feedback and changes with us in the comments below!

To learn more about Pranayama, read this article: https://goqii.com/blog/pranayama/.

To begin your yoga practice or learn more, follow our yoga specialists on GOQii Play. Before you begin any yoga practice, do consult your doctor or physician.

Stay safe, stay indoors, be healthy and don’t forget to get active!

#BeTheForce