Detoxification is a normal process of the body. The digestive system, lymphatic system and circulatory system remove waste from the body every day. This normal detox is essential to good health. The practice of yoga can assist in detoxifying the body.
The way yoga helps in detoxifying the body is through the compressing and stretching of the body that occurs in the various asanas used in yoga practice. Many yoga poses are effective for helping to remove toxins from the body.
Yoga detoxifies not only the body, but the mind as well. The mind can be filled with as much garbage as the body, causing stress and anxiety. The regular practice of yoga helps to clear the mind and relax the body and spirit. Emotional health is as important as physical health and yoga helps both.
In a good overall yoga class, a range of asanas are found that help to rid the body of toxins. This includes various twist poses and inversions, such as twisted lunge and downward facing dog.
Classes are even specifically designed for detox using poses that are effective at twisting, compressing and stretching the spine and organs of the body to help remove toxins. Yoga and detox retreats use yoga along with other methods to detox the body due to the effectiveness of yoga in removing toxins from the body.
A yoga retreat is great for beginning a detox program, if you have the time and can afford the trip. However, this is not necessary. You will get the same benefits from a regular well rounded practice. There are also DVDs and iPod downloads available of yoga classes specifically designed using asanas that are effective for detox.
In addition to asanas, pranayama, or yoga breathing is helpful in detoxification. Breathing is further improved by the improvements in posture that results from a regular yoga practice. In pranayama breathing, the lungs are filled with air and completely emptied, which helps to clear the lungs.