Yoga Detox

The package contains a talk with an introductory class and eight yoga classes.

The theme is awakening digestion and the importance of stimulating the organs before nourishing them. We first nourish ourselves with Prana and awaken circulation so that oxygen reaches the organs and deeper tissues, and only then add sugar, meaning food. We awaken digestion through massage, mobilising the abdomen, raising the temperature of the whole body, pulsing movements and twists. Digestion transforms matter into energy that the body uses for life, and it also metabolises our emotions. Taking what we need and allowing the rest to pass is the task of healthy digestion, both physically and emotionally. We practise on an empty stomach and drink plenty of lukewarm liquid in small sips after yoga. This month, we also discuss the importance of yogic nutrition ; read more on the blog.

Themes covered:

• Spinal Breath movements
• breath into the abdominal cavity
• fast, rhythmic movements
• pulses that shorten and lengthen the abdomen
• massaging the abdominal cavity through abdominal action
• abdominal massage with the palms and fists
• twisting asanas and rotational movements
• emotional transformation and allowing
• proper eating and chewing

The recordings were made during regular guided online yoga classes. The classes were recorded through Zoom at a resolution of up to 720p, so variations in video quality are possible.

A SMALL DETOX

Alongside this theme, try a short fast or detox. Because nutritional guidance is highly individual, I can only suggest several general Ayurvedic tips that support the digestive fire, encourage digestion and are generally gentle.

1. Ginger tea

Ginger tea is excellent because it warms the whole body deeply, down to the cells. Slice several pieces of fresh ginger into half a litre of water and simmer for five minutes after it reaches the boil. The tea should taste spicy, and you can drink it throughout the day. Feel free to reheat it before pouring a cup. Each time it is warmed, it becomes stronger and more effective.

2. More liquid

Yes, more liquid supports digestion, but the type and timing matter. Before, during and after a meal, drink a small amount of lukewarm liquid in little sips. A large quantity of cold water, or worse, cold juice because it is sweet, cools and slows digestion. Once some time has passed after the meal and you feel that it has been digested, drink a little more than usual, still lukewarm and in small sips. Suitable liquids are boiled water or mild tea. You can choose an anise, caraway and fennel blend because it is gentle and supports digestion.

3. Magnesium

Drink a glass of magnesium in the evening. This can be Donat Mg or magnesium citrate purchased as a powder and mixed into water, using one small teaspoon per glass with several drops of lemon. Magnesium supports digestion.

4. Nutrition

Regarding food itself, see which principles from the blog article“Seven Principles of Yogic Nutrition”you can include, particularly those concerning food combinations, choosing ingredients, chewing slowly and eating with gratitude, because these also support digestion.

5. Common sense and love

If you want to use this month as a brief pause from unhelpful habits, begin from love rather than guilt. We are already good enough and do not need to improve ourselves. Settle peacefully into how things are now, then gently and lovingly direct attention towards eating and nutrition. Let common sense guide your choice of ingredients and meals. To put it simply, eat healthily: instant food and artificial additives do not help cleanse the body, so choose more natural options.

INTRODUCTORY TALK AND YOGA CLASS ON THE THEME

We discuss the importance of vital digestion and the yogic methods that maintain it. Digestion is the body’s system of transformation. This is a theme we all need: it awakens slow digestion and lethargy, improves concentration, supports the lower back and maintains vitality. This is a package for yogic detox.

1. THE FIRST LITTLE FIRE

We begin gently and gradually by asking the abdomen, “hello, how are you and what do you need?” We become acquainted with this part of the body and bring attention to it so that it becomes an ever better friend and collaborator. We practise preparatory exercises and Uddiyana Bandha Kriya, several Sun Salutations and pulses, awakening the digestive juices.

2. HANDS ON THE ABDOMEN

We connect the palms with the abdomen to increase sensitivity in this part of the body. The principal idea of this self-massage, which we combine with movement and pulses of breath, is that the palms actively participate. On the inhalation, they either widen or lengthen the abdomen upwards; on the exhalation, they press it inwards. They amplify the action performed by the abdomen and breath.

3. WHAT CAN I TRANSFORM?

Today, we begin with familiar pulses from Friday and use the palms to add pressure. The first part of the class is a little more demanding because we move through Sun Salutations and pulses in Warrior I. The second is more relaxing, with twists and Shavasana. We ask what is troubling me in life and what I can allow to pass through the body and the fire of transformation.

4. A SYSTEM FOR TRANSFORMATION

Healthy flow and transformation mean that things do not remain within the system for too long and that contraction, whatever its cause, does not become fixed. We allow the body to let things pass. We learn how this part of the body, a cauldron that transforms matter into energy and also processes information and emotions, can sort what is useful from what is not. We learn to filter, allow, nourish ourselves with what is healthy and release what is toxic. This is the purpose of the whole digestive system, and both emotional and physical health reflect how it functions.

5. THE BODY LETS GO

We can encourage the body to transform more quickly and effectively, which is why we practise this yoga for better digestion. To let every state pass through the body more easily, we do not question anything in the meantime; we simply begin gently, with love and humility. We practise the yoga kriyas Kapalabhati and Uddiyana Bandha Kriya for improved transformation, Sun Salutations, several standing asanas with pulses and, towards the end, several floor poses for deeper peace.

6. RAISING THE TEMPERATURE

A little preparation, kriyas and pulsing movements, followed by Sun Salutations. Sun Salutations themselves warm and awaken the entire body, including digestion. Rhythmic repetition of movement with breath is deeply healthy and useful; nothing needs to be invented, because yoga can simply be Sun Salutations. This morning, we warm up, raise the body’s temperature and practise several asanas and deeper twists.

7. FIRE IN THE CENTRE

If we bring something new into our space, we need to release something old. This month, we do not accumulate through digestion but allow things to flow, learning that the body is a fluid mechanism balancing receiving and releasing. We continue with familiar exercises, several kriyas, lengthening and shortening pulses, Sun Salutations and a few asanas with twists. We also open and strengthen the shoulder girdle with Dolphin Arms and breathe into the depth of the ribcage, allowing breath to guide us.

8. A SUMMARY IS A BEGINNING

Today, we summarise the month and repeat practices from the previous classes. The exact asanas or pulses matter less than the principles: lengthen and shorten, massage the abdomen with the hands and yoga kriyas, twists and pulses. Since the month is called “Oxygen First, Then Sugar”, remember how pleasant it is to prepare digestion before each meal by massaging and mobilising the abdomen and breathing into it.