Our health should be our priority in this fast-paced world, but we often ignore it. Our body consists of many important organs that need care to function properly. Our body organs like lungs, kidneys, and muscles, perform various functions and support our overall health.
When it comes to our physical health, our liver plays an important role to make and secrete bile and detoxify the blood. Well, apart from a good diet, one thing that can keep our livers healthy is yoga.
Yoga is a very simple and important form of workout that not only supports our organs but also promotes our overall well-being.
Yoga for liver health
Our liver digests protein, fats, and carbohydrates and purifies the blood. It also helps in digestion and is responsible for the production of bile which keeps the waste out of the liver. However, factors like improper diet and unhealthy lifestyle can affect our liver and lead to chronic liver diseases. And well, that’s when yoga comes to the rescue as it helps improve liver health in so many ways.
- Reducing stress on the liver
- It improves blood circulation and
- Improves the detoxification of blood
- Inflammation in the liver
- Reduce potency of conservation of fat in the liver
6 Yoga poses for a healthy liver
1. Kapalbhati Pranayama
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Apart from improving liver function, Kapalbhati is a very beneficial yoga practice for overall body health. It also cures insomnia and lowers blood sugar levels. Here’s how to do it:
- Firstly, start by sitting in a comfortable position with your legs crossed.
- Start by inhaling and exhaling deeply for few times.
- Get comfortable, and as you exhale, pull your navel back towards your back. One can also put their hand on the stomach to feel the abdominal muscle contract.
- When you relax your navel and abdomen, the breath flows automatically into the liver.
- Take around 20 breaths to complete one round of kapalbhati.
- Try to relax for some time, and do two more rounds of the exercise.
2. Bow Pose
Credits: iStock
The bow pose helps fight fatigue and also increases blood flow to the digestive system. It also benefits the liver and improves body posture. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by lying down on your belly with your legs apart and your palms beside your ribs.
- Keep your back straight and your hands and legs facing the ground.
- Pull your inner thighs upwards and press your outer ankles into your midline.
- Keep your hands on the mat as you lift your head and chest upwards off the mat.
- Bend your knees and get back with your hands touching the outside of your ankles.
- Press your thighs into the mat.
- Hold on to this position for a few seconds
- Relax and try to do 2-3 more rounds of it.
3. Half-fish pose
Credits: iStock
This pose is very beneficial for our body as it improves spine agility, and posture and boosts liver function. Here’s how to do it:
- Begin by sitting on the ground.
- Keep your legs crossed and slowly cross your left foot over the right one.
- Make sure to keep your knees bent and pointed upwards.
- As you slightly bend your torso, take your right hand to touch your left foot.
- Bring your left foot towards your abdomen and turn your head the opposite way.
- Hold onto this position for some time and repeat the same with your right foot.
- Hold for some time and relax.
4.Cobra Pose
Credits: iStock
Cobra pose is beneficial for spinal flexibility and positively boosts stress, digestion, and liver function. Here’s how to ace this yoga pose:
- Begin by lying flat on your stomach with your hands over your shoulders.
- Place your elbows on your torso.
- Take a deep breath as you lift your head, chest and shoulders.
- Gently bend your elbows as you expand and lift your chest.
- Try to engage your abdominal muscles, lower back, and thighs.
- Hold for some time.
- Gently release the pose and repeat for 1-2 rounds.
5. Triangle Pose
Credits: iStock
The triangle pose increases flexibility, strength, balance and liver function.
- Start by standing straight on the yoga mat with your legs wide apart.
- Begin by turning your right foot forward and your left foot outward.
- Raise your arms parallel to the ground with your palms facing down.
- Focus towards your right hip and extend your right arm forward.
- Lower your right arm and lift your left arm towards the ceiling.
- Gently move your neck upwards and downwards.
- Hold this position for a few seconds, and repeat the same position on the other side.
6. Sphinx pose
This pose is a simple yoga pose that improves core strength, and the digestive system, stimulates abdominal organs and promotes body relaxation.
iStock
- Start by lying flat on your stomach.
- Place your elbows directly below your shoulders, slowly pressing your forearms to the ground.
- Push your lower back, buttocks and thighs, as you raise your upper torso and head.
- Hold on to the position and focus on your lower back and spine.
- Hold the position for a minute or two and then release the position.
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