Yoga

[spo1977]

What is the best way to detox after yoga? I have been reaching for good old olive oil and acv.

How effective do you think Yoga is in Detoxing the body?

[shelley]

uh, that question isn't quite right. Yoga is an excellent part of a health regimen and a detox regimen too. That's all I can say to that!

[spo1977]

Without fail, I get a headache after every class. I was thinking maybe some of the akward poses put toxins into the blood stream and make me feel nasty.

[J F]

Exercise will always release toxins as it gets the circulation going, oxygenating the blood and enabling the body to purge junk. But, it will aslo release endorphins to make you feel good. Exercise detoxes in a positive way, done properly. Too much exericise, more than your body can handle at a given time, can release too much for you to deal with, and you may possibly feel a detox lag for a day or two. Whenever I've gone without a regular workout for a good length of time, then start back up and don't take it slowly, I will end up with what feels like the flu for a couple of days. If I go easy, I can avoid that.

Inverted poses will help to flush the liver which releases stored toxins for the lymphatic system to deal with. If your headache is located at the base of the skull, it could be toxins in the lymphs, in which case things like yoga and rebounding are actually helpful to push the toxins through so they don't stagnate in the lymphs and cause discomfort. Cleansing drinks and castor oil packs are great for clearing that out, too.

Be sure to have a chiropractor look at your spinal alignment. Certain yoga positions, if you are not properly aligned, if something is pinched or out of place, are not advised. Your headache after yoga may be due spinal misalignment aggravated by a certain posture you perform during class, in which case you'd be better served to resolve the misalignment before attempting the offending poses.

[spo1977]

Thanks for the info JF. I think it is just the exertion and toxins then.

I think my spine is ok. I have been to the chiropractor a few times recently and there was nothing major.

[J F]

Try going a little easier for a time, maybe taking a less strenuous class if one is offered or trying some gentler yoga DVDs at home first and see what that does. I have several DVDs that Gaiam puts out, specifically Rodney Yee's programs. He's very good at gentle yoga stretches, or just at building up slowly during a routine. People who are more advanced in their yoga practice will often complain that some of his beginner DVD's are too easy, but that's actually a good thing. For those of us with more years of stored toxins to deal with, it's better to go easy at first. Exercise should never be done to the point of pain or sickness. Then it's effects reverse, it becomes a setback.