So even if we exercise each week (or every day) and watch what we eat...it's natural to imbibe every now and then. Believe me, we're all guilty of an occasional bottle of wine...or two! That's why it's so exciting to share yoga poses that help with a hangover!
In general, a little gentle twisting can speed up the process of getting your body back to a hydrated, less fatigued state. Twisting motions in yoga stimulate our inner organs, especially the liver and kidneys. Digestion and digestive processes are increased, therefore easing the movement of foods (and drinks!) through the digestive tract gently and easily. Improve digestion any day of the week by massaging the organs that process and work hard to rid the body of excess toxin, or in this case...alcohol.
Here are some yoga poses to improve a hangover:
Spinal Twist - lie down on the mat and relax the body by taking 3 cleansing breaths. Lift the right leg and bend the knee at a 90 degree angle. Use the left hand and gently guide the right knee toward the left side of the body. Attempt to keep both shoulder blades on the mat. If unable to do so don't worry. Continue to breathe in and out and if you feel the shoulder blade start to lift, hold the position. Continue to breathe for 5-6 cleansing breaths and on each exhale, attempt to sink deeper into the pose. Your range of motion is only as far as your leg can cross the body without lifting the should blades. Repeat by bending the left knee and crossing it over the right side of the body. Hold for 5-6 breaths.
Seated Twist - sit on the floor with legs extended, equalize your weight on both booty cheeks and sit up nice and tall. Take a cleansing breath. Cross right leg over left and then pull both legs toward the center of your body. You'll need to bend the knees to do this. Inhale, bring arms over head, gently touch palms and on the exhale, gently twist and slice the right arm across the right knee. Use your elbow against the knee and use it as leverage as you continue to inhale and exhale and twist the body. Look behind you, towards the back of the room. Try to align or work up to bringing your chin in line with the left shoulder. Hold for 5-6 cleansing breaths. Inhale, bring arms over head, gently touch palms and untwine the legs. Repeat on the left side.
Cat Cow - begin on all fours with wrists directly under the shoulders and knees directly under the hips. Equalize your weight on all four points of contact. Tops of feet should be nice and flat along the mat. As you inhale look forward with the face, upward toward the sky while dropping the tummy button toward the mat. Next, on the exhale, tuck the chin and face toward the chest and press the mid-lower back towards the ceiling. Begin to create an effective rhythm between inhale and exhale. Repeat 8-10 times.
Note: Because the positions take place on the inhale and exhale, beginner's may experience dizziness. This is normal, just slow your pace and breathe normally until you master each position. Remember, feel free to breathe through the mouth and nose if this is more comfortable in your first months of yoga.
Other Hangover Helpers:
Gatorade or Water - water hydrates your body the best but Gatorade will replace electrolytes you lose during cocktail hour
Breakfast - eating in the morning boosts your blood sugar which typically drops when the liver is working 'overtime'
50-100mg of vitamin B6 - just pop this before your big night out or as soon as you get home before bed
Pre-drinking Dinner - typically a large dinner prior to a night out helps soak up alcohol. Though not necessarily backed up research, college did teach me a thing or two...besides yoga!
