Many of us feel a little sluggish this time of the year, and often we need a little support to get some support to get ready for outdoor activities.
In Ayurvedic medicine, it is often recommended to incorporate bitter vegetables or herbs in our diet to produce bile to support liver health. This can improve the digestion of fats in our diet and even help the liver’s detoxification pathways. But there is another method to support our liver health, and this is through yoga poses.
Yoga poses that have twists and bends could activate our liver in producing bile. However, these yoga poses also flush the liver venous system with fresh, oxygenated blood. This optimizes the metabolic efficiency of liver cells in supporting the organ's natural detoxification pathways.
Let us review some of these four poses that are known to support liver health:
Bow pose and cobra pose are particularly potent for addressing structural and fatty changes in the liver. In the bow pose, the entire weight of the body rests on the abdomen, creating a profound deep-tissue massage that reaches the liver and kidneys.
Cobra pose stretches the abdominal wall while simultaneously increasing the hydrostatic pressure within the abdominal cavity, which has been clinically noted to alleviate the discomfort associated with hepatomegaly (liver enlargement) by improving lymphatic drainage.
Seated half twist (half fish pose) is a rotational posture that provides a unique lateral twist that is vital for the biliary system. This wringing motion exerts a dual force: it compresses the liver on one side while stretching it on the other. This action is believed to stimulate the gallbladder, promoting the timely secretion and flow of bile.
The seated forward bend is a pose by folding the body over the lower limbs. In this pose, the abdominal organs are subjected to a controlled compression that temporarily restricts blood flow. When we sit up, there is a rebound effect when releasing the pose, bringing a surge of nutrient-rich blood surging to the liver. When this happens, it aids in the removal of metabolic waste and carbon dioxide.
By consistently practicing these liver-supporting poses, recalibration of the liver can lead to whole-body wellness for getting ready for sunnier days with more physical activity.