New Yoga Starts: Spring Detox Your Body with These 12 Poses

Utilize these 12 yoga poses to send effective spring cleaning signals to the digestive system, establish a stable mechanism for the body to self-reflect and cleanse, and help us eliminate toxins.

Baby Pose

Kneel with your knees hip-width apart and bend your hips down, bringing your forehead to the floor. Arms can be placed at your sides, or extended forward with palms down, lowering your hips and letting your body relax. Close your eyes and focus on your breath. Stay in this pose for 10-15 deep breaths.

New Moon Warrior Two Pose

With hips up, limbs extended in Downward-Facing Dog. Right foot forward, lower leg vertical to the ground, left knee resting on a mat. Hands interlace in front of the knees, arms extended forward to the chest. If the pose feels stable and safe, raise your arms to the sky, lengthening your spine and stretching your shoulder muscles. Hold for 5-8 deep breaths, then lower your arms. Step back to Downward-Facing Dog, repeat on the left side.

Prayer Pose Twist

Starting in Downward-Facing Dog, step forward with your right foot, inhale, and rise to New Moon Pose. Exhale, bring your hands together in prayer position in front of your chest, twist your torso to deepen the twist on the inner thigh. Maintain a lengthened spine, and let your elbows move towards the outside of your knees. Pull your shoulders back and shift your gaze upwards towards your elbows. Hold for 5-8 deep breaths. Inhale back to New Moon Pose. Exhale, bring your hands onto the mat, stepping back to Downward-Facing Dog. Repeat on the left side.

Triangle Twist Pose

With legs split twice the width of your shoulders. Inhale, straighten your legs. Exhale, tip your right fingers forward, twisting your inner thighs upwards, extending your left arm. Do not let your body twist. Keep your eyes focused on the extended thumb of your left hand. Lift your right knee up, aligning your right knee with your toes, always keeping your right knee straight. Hold for 5-8 breaths, then switch sides.

Half Moon Twist Pose

Starting in Triangle Twist Pose, left arm pointing to the sky, rotate your torso to the left, right hand touching the ground in front of your right foot. If your spine is not parallel to the mat, use a yoga block under your right hand to lengthen your spine. Shift your body weight to your right hand and left foot. Inhale, straighten your left knee, and slowly raise your right leg parallel to the ground. Exhale, extend your left arm upwards, with both arms in a straight line, creating an energy channel. Stabilize your body, hold for 5-8 deep breaths. Return to Triangle Twist Pose, repeat on the other side.

Plank Pose

Starting in Downward-Facing Dog. Place your hands on the mat, and come into a push-up position. Bend your elbows at shoulder level. Your fingers and elbows should form a straight line. Your feet are apart as wide as your hips, feeling energy flow from your shoulders to your heels. Hold for 5-8 deep breaths.

Sage Pose

Starting in Downward-Facing Dog, lift your left leg up to the same height as your hips. Bring your right knee up to your left hand elbow, with your left upper arm pressing against the outside of your right thigh, creating a twist. Keep your gaze forward, and let your body weight rest on your arms and palms. Hold for 5-8 deep breaths. Step back to Downward-Facing Dog, repeat on the other side.

Bow Pose

Lie on your back, with your legs open slightly wider than your hips. Bend your knees. Exhale, reach for your ankles, ensuring you feel a downward press through your belly and upper thigh. Inhale, then as you exhale, directly lift your knees and shoulders off the mat, letting them move away from your body. Hold for 5-8 deep breaths.

Seated Twist

Simple seated posture, left hand placed on your sacrum, stretching your spine. Right hand in a mudra hand position on the outside of your left knee, with your shoulders pulled back. Shift your gaze to your shoulders, either forward or backward, keeping a 8-10 deep breaths.

Third Sage Pose

Sitting position, with your legs extended forward. Bend your right knee, placing your right foot on your left thigh, with your right shin vertical to the ground, placing your right hand behind you a few inches from your tailbone, maintaining body stability. Rotate your chest to the right, with your left elbow bent and placed on the outside of your right knee. Pull your right shoulder back, and shift your gaze to the ground, letting your chin be parallel to the ground. Hold for 8-10 breaths. Repeat on the left side.

Seated Forward Fold

Start with a chair pose, with your hands on the sides, inhale, raise your arms over your head. Exhale, fold forward, grabbing your feet. If it is difficult, use a strap or bend your knees. Direct the energy to your heels. Lengthen your spine. Hold for 8-10 breaths.

Chair Pose with Strap

Start with a chair pose, with your legs extended and together, your hands placed on the sides, inhale, raise your arms over your head. Exhale, fold forward, grabbing your feet. If it is difficult, use a strap, or bend your knees. Direct the energy to your heels. Lengthen your spine. Hold for 8-10 breaths.

Simple Shoulder Stand

Lie on your back, with your legs extended, your hands placed on the sides, palms down, adjust your breath evenly. Slowly raise your legs, with your sacrum lowered onto a yoga block, your arms placed on the sides, your chin slightly away from your chest, maintaining an even breath. Close your eyes and rest here for 10-15 deep breaths. Bend your knees, and slowly lower your legs to the mat. Lift your hips, remove the yoga block, your body relaxes, lying flat on the mat, relax for 5-10 minutes.