Spring cleaning isn’t just for your closet. In the wintertime, it’s natural for our bodies to crave heavier comfort foods like thick stew, decadent lasagna, chili, and more. We also tend to be less active in the colder, darker months and innately are drawn to cocooning on our couches. It’s hibernation season after all! Were you a bit dormant this winter and your body is feeling the residual effects? Twisting poses are great for stimulating the digestive system, helping eliminate waste from the body and maintaining internal equilibrium. There’s absolutely no shame in indulging, but if your tummy feels in need of a cleanse, try practicing these 3 gentle stretches a few times a week:
Chair Twist:
Stand with your feet together. Bend your knees and sit your hips back as if you were sitting in a chair. Tuck your tailbone under to take any excessive arching out of your lower back. Shift the weight out of the toes, distributing it into the midfoot and heels. Look down and make sure your toes are not being hidden by your knees. Join your hands together at the center of your chest, shoulders relaxed. Inhale deeply to lengthen through your spine, and as you exhale, twist to the right, hooking your left elbow outside of your right knee or thigh. Stay in the twist for 4 more rounds of breath, working to move your thumbs away from your right armpit, closer to your sternum with every exhale. Shake it off, then switch sides and begin again.
Seated Twist:
Begin sitting up tall with your legs extended in front of you. Bend your right knee and bring the sole of your right foot to the ground outside of your left hip. Bend your left knee and bring your left heel outside of your right hip. If this is uncomfortable, feel free to extend your bottom leg out long. Place your right hand onto the floor behind you as close to your sacrum as possible. Inhale deeply and lift your left arm straight up, keeping your shoulders relaxed. Exhale and cross your left elbow over your outer right knee or thigh. If that’s too deep, you can hug your right knee with your left arm instead. Sitting tall with soft shoulders, take 4 more deep breaths, lengthening your spine with each inhale, and gently increasing the twist with each exhale. Be mindful to twist from your navel, rather than from your neck, so you rotate your spine in one unit. After 5 rounds of breath, release the twist and counter-twist your torso to the left. Straighten your legs out in front of you, give them a shake, then switch sides and begin again.
Supine Twist:
Lie on your back and hug your knees softly into your chest, gently pressing your tailbone down toward the ground. Relax. Extend your arms onto the ground into a “T” shape in line with your shoulders, palms facing upwards to allow the shoulders to soften down the back. Breathe in, and as you breathe out, allow your knees to fall to the right side, being mindful to keep them in line with your navel, or slightly higher. If your knees will not comfortably reach the ground, tuck a blanket under. You can keep your neck neutral or, if it feels good, look over your left shoulder. Stay here for at least 5 deep breaths, then switch sides and begin again.
In addition to adding some twists to your weekly routine, taking CBD can help alleviate tummy troubles as it minimizes the risk of inflammation. At Asé Pure Naturals, you can find a full catalog of products to choose from, including a line of CBD products that are vegan, non-GMO, and cruelty-free. And, all of our products are made here in the USA.
