We’ve been detoxing with mandy since the beginning of the month – enjoying our 3-day Yogalosophy Cleanse by Pressed Juicery in the office, hearing from readers about how it’s going (hashtag your photos #detoxdiaries to join in on social media!), and enjoying all Mandy’s insights for a great cleanse experience. One common cleanse conundrum that seems to come up is: to work-out or not to work-out? While getting extra rest is important during a cleanse, so is a little exercise! Moving your body and breaking a sweat will help you achieve your best full-body detox ever! Sweating rids the body of toxins and all that deep breathing helps to oxygenate the blood – you’re cleansing with every exhale.
Alongside this month’s Limited Edition cleanse with Mandy (the Yogalosophy 3-Day Cleanse by Pressed Juicery – find out about it here) we asked her to share a detoxifying routine perfect for those of us on the cleanse! Mandy designed a gentle 5 step flow that will take you through your cleanse and beyond! Here’s Mandy…
Moving your body daily will help you to raise your body temperature and sweat out anything you no longer need. I love to take walks, hikes in nature, visit a sauna and to practice yoga. Twists are considered detoxification poses. They target your internal organs so that you get toned internally as well. Your liver and digestive system will be gently massaged and should help with elimination. Abdominal exercises will also get you heated up. Remember to keep it moving! We are working to reboot the system, so it’s important when you are juicing to keep your metabolism up and keep your system moving. Also, in between juices, make sure to drink plenty of water to flush out your system.
To start, warm up with 20 to 30 minutes of your favorite cardio (walking, cycling, elliptical training and dancing are good examples). Set an intention. Consider something like this: “I am letting go of what is no longer serving me” or “I am loving my already perfect body.” Then follow this yoga routine of must-do poses for detoxification. Twists literally wring out the toxins from the body, while balance poses like Boat connect you with your core, the additional abdominal work from the V-ups target and activate the midsection.
Mandy’s Detoxifying Yoga Routine
Chair and Chair Twist
With your feet together, bend both knees and sit your hips back into an imaginary chair.
Extend your arms up toward the ceiling, tuck your tailbone slightly and use your core to lift your body away from the thighs (see right image).
Bring your palms to a prayer position and hook the left elbow on the right knee.
Press your palms together.
Look up toward the ceiling (see second image).
Twisted Lunge
Step your right foot forward between your hands and come up onto the toe of your left foot as you press your heel back.
Try to straighten the left leg.
Bring your left hand to the floor on the inside of your right foot.
Twist your right arm up toward the ceiling and look up.
Make sure your arm is extending out from the base of your spine through the crown of your head.
Boat
Balance on your sit bones and extend your legs upward and your arms out in front of you, parallel to the floor.
If it is too challenging to keep your legs straight or if you have a lower back issue, you can bend the knees.
Reclining Twist
Lying down on the floor, extend your arms out to the sides and bring your right foot on top of the left thigh.
Slowly lower the right knee toward the left and look over your right shoulder. Relax into this twist.
Seated Twist
Bend your left knee on the floor in front of you.
Cross your right leg over to bring your right foot to the outside of the left knee.
Hook your left elbow on the outside of the right knee and press your right hand into the floor near the base of your spine.
Inhale as you extend your spine up, then exhale as you twist back.
