One of the best exercises for assisting your body to keep supple, flexible and cleanse itself is yoga. The positions through which the body moves during the practice of yoga, help to massage the organs of elimination and increase oxygenation of the tissues.

A Whole Lotta History

Yoga works on balancing the mind and the body in an incredibly powerful way. Don’t worry if you feel you are inflexible or are a complete beginner, this simple sequence of yoga postures, called Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation, are 12 postures performed in a single, graceful flow. Traditionally, it is performed at dawn, facing the rising sun, and it is most effective as a sequence used to begin the day. It limbers up the whole body and gets the energy flowing. Even if you manage just one sequence you will feel the difference.

Where should I practise?

Yoga should be practised in silence because the rhythm of the breath is important. In other words, no television or radio noises in the background! Each movement is coordinated with the breath. Inhale as you extend or stretch, and exhale as you fold or contract.

The Sun Salutation Series

Try the Sun Salutation series below, to add a range of stretching postures to your detox. A single round of the series consists of two complete sequences: one for the right side of the body and the other for the left. One complete round takes approximately 3-4 minutes so aim to do at least two rounds every morning.

  • Exhale and stand tall.
  • Inhale and sweep your hands above your head.
  • Exhale and bend forward with your head toward your shins.
  • Inhale and step your right leg back into a deep lunge.
  • Exhale and step your left leg back into the plank position. Hold in position. Inhale and pull your tummy in.
  • Inhale and bend your arms into a press-up position, keeping your elbows in close to your body. (You can have your knees on the floor if you wish.)
  • Inhale and stretch forward and up, arching your back. Use your arms to lift your torso as far as feels comfortable. Keep your shoulders down. Your hands should be in front of your hips. Look upwards.
  • Exhale and tuck your toes under. Lift your bottom back, and press back into an upside-down V shape.
  • Inhale and step your right foot forward between your hands and knees. Exhale and do the same with the left foot.
  • On the same exhale, bring your feet together and straighten your legs, head to shins.
  • Inhale, stand up slowly and return to your starting position.
  • Repeat the series, starting with your left leg.