Hi,
Im still quite new to yoga but i can already feel the benefits.
I practice every night. My main astanas (wsp?) are reverse namaste,
Padahastasan, Bhujangasna and Paschim Uttaanasan,
My main problems lie in my abdominal area, although im very flexible, i have a barrel belly, i feel this is because of my sluggish liver. Are there any astanas i could practice to tone my midsection and massge my liver?
Thanks
RE: For the liver
Hi Seven,
check this site out it is quite informative.
[link= http://www.yogabasics.com/asana/ ]http://www.yogabasics.com/asana/[/link]
Rocky.
RE: For the liver
I remember when I first started yoga, it was an iyengar class and we did a "liver squeeze" - a seated spinal twist. I didn't drink enough water after the class and got a headache. The teacher said it was all the muck in my liver being squeezed out. After doing it two or three times I stopped getting the headache afterwards. as I didn't know any different I believed it to be true....and I still do.
Try asking your teacher for some Maricyasana or Matsyendrasana variations. These tone the whole abdominal area, particularly liver, spleen and pancreas.
RE: For the liver
Yoga is excellent for cleansing the liver. The spinal twists especially as outlined in post above. when we twist and turn, bend and release the body is not only toned but the internal organs receive a massage, toxins and buildup in the body are released this is why you need to drink lots of water.
a simple spinal twist:
sit on the buttocks. sitting tall, legs outstretched in front of you feet together. hands by the sides of the hips, flat against the floor, now take the right arm behind you and place the hand so the fingers point away and the arm is behind you outstretched but supporting, so its like a lever behind the right hand side of you fingers pointing away, palm flat. now sitting tall on buttocks, bend the right leg and cross the right leg over the left, bringing the right foot flat on the floor just outside of the left knee then bring the left arm and place the hand on the right thigh, left hand/palm flat against right thigh, fingers pointing towards the right hip, this creates a kind of lever/locking effect as you inhale, sitting tall still, and exhaling, using the left arm and hand against the right thigh to lever the right thigh tight bringing it into the abdomen area. if you look down you should see the right kneecap as you look down. inhaling now, right palm still supporting you inhale and as you exhale begin to gently turn the torso/stomach around to the right as you look over the right shoulder, you should use the inhalation and as you exhale use this to turn/squeeze further round. eventually you should be able to look over the right hand looking behind you. stay for 10 - 30 seconds then exhale and release. the breath should be natural throughout the process remembering to utilise the exhalation to soften the body and twist further.
Yoga really is an excellent tool. I swear by it!!
love and light
Tammy;)
RE: For the liver
I'm new to the forum and love reading all the experiences people are having with yoga. I'm in a skin-care related field and so I work mainly in clearing out facial toxins, so to speak. If you want to get out those toxins in the body though- I agree with others in this forum about the twisting moves. They are good for digestion as well, so I always try to move a bit after big dinners. It's important to keep with it though. At first it might be daunting with side problems occuring, but with a regular routine you will have more energy and feel more healthy. Good luck!!
RE: For the liver
Boondock- the 'liver squeeze' sounds fascinating!