Twisting poses detoxify and remove stagnation in the body. Twisting squeezes the abdominal organs and stimulates digestion and elimination. Use these deep twists to wring out toxins and tension, and help balance your emotions.
A.
Warm the Body
Practice these postures after a workout while the body is still sweaty, or move through 10 sun salutations.
B.
Twisting Side Angle Pose
Starting in warrior 2 pose, begin to move into side angle pose by releasing your elbow on the thigh or your fingertips to the floor next to your front foot. Extend your left arm straight up toward the ceiling or alongside the ear, relaxing the shoulder down the back. Take 5 long slow breaths in side angle pose, feeling a deep hip opening. To go deeper in the pose begin to move into the twisting wrap by grabbling hands or fingers underneath the leg for a deep twist and hip opening. Hold the pose for at least 10 deep breaths. Repeat the entire series on the left side. Move through this pose 2 cycles on each side.
C.
Wide Legged Forward Bend Twist
Extend the legs out wide and sit upright. Turn torso over to the right side of the body and gently drape the body over the right leg for 5 deep breaths. Repeat on the left side for 5 breaths. Coming to center, begin to flow with the breath and inhale to extend upward twisting towards the the right side. Use the arms to go deeper in the twist while maintaining an elongated spine. Hold here for 10-15 breaths. Repeat on the opposite side. Move through this pose 2 more cycles on each side. Finish this series holding the forward bend in the center for 1-3 minutes.
