From heavy-headed to clear-minded
If last night was a heavy one and you’ve woken up with a set of drums instead of a brain, the last thing you may want to do is get up and work out. But according to yogi Tara Stiles, completing about 10 minutes of a simple yoga sequence is enough to get you feeling a bit better. “Just go easy and take it slow,” she says.
“These moves get the blood flow going, and the twisting helps detox the liver. You will alleviate the ailments in the body and stimulate the nervous system,” she explains.
Wringing out the alcohol
One alcoholic drink is metabolized in about one hour, so the amount still lingering in your system will depend on how much you drank. The sequence will help burn off a few extra calories, and will stimulate the release of endorphins — your feel-good hormones. “The main thing is to focus on the breath, not necessarily getting into the finished version of the pose,” suggests Stiles.
Top three poses for your hangover
Seated easy twist
The twisting nature of this pose stimulates the liver and the kidneys and pushes the alcohol on its way out of your body. It energizes the spine and stimulates digestion. All this squeezing out is great for detoxing.
Bridge pose
After a heavy night, this pose calms the brain and rejuvenates tired legs. Overall benefits include a reduction in anxiety, fatigue and insomnia. The abdominal organs, lungs and the thyroid will be fired up, and digestion will improve. It’s therapeutic for high blood pressure and helps lessen back and headaches.
Supported headstand
Come on all fours, interlace your hands, and place the top of your head on the ground so your hands hold the back of your head. Tuck your toes and straighten your legs so your hips are over your shoulders. Stay here for 10 long, deep breaths, and rest in child’s pose.
