Yoga and Your Kidneys September 18, 2015 by Kylie Karley Yoga is a wonderful way of life, but it is also a great exercise routine. Practicing yoga can reduce stress, improve breathing, and increase strength. Every yoga pose is unique and works a different set of muscles, thus giving you a full-body workout! The breath patterns that come with a yoga pose reduce stress and anxiety, thus letting your mind relax while your body exercises. Yoga poses also increase blood flow to specific areas of the body, which can promote healing. Below are three yoga poses that can promote good kidney health while also reducing stress and working your muscles. Remember, you should always talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine! Yoga is also not a substitute for any of your medicines, but rather acts as a complement your therapies. Cobra Pose How it works: Cobra pose stretches the abdominal muscles and engages back muscles, thus promoting blood flow to the areas around the kidneys. How to perform the pose: Lie face down with your palms on the floor right underneath your shoulders -INHALE EXHALE- Keeping your neck in a neutral position, use your arms to slowly push your upper body off of the floor until your arms are almost straight, keeping your waist, hips, and legs on the floor, yet actively engaged (HINT push your feet into the floor to engage your lower body) Keep your arms softly bent and your neck in a neutral position while thinking about opening your chest and squeezing your shoulder blades together; INHALE and EXHALE 3 times Slowly lower yourself to your original position with an EXHALE Boat Pose How it works: Boat pose engages your abdominal muscles and gives a little stretch to your back muscles, thus promoting blood flow to the area around your kidneys. How to perform the pose: Sit on the floor with your hands slightly behind you, fingers pointing towards your feet. Your feet should rest comfortably on the floor in front of you, with your knees slightly bent. INHALE EXHALE- lean slightly back, using your hands to support you, and begin to lift your feet off of the floor, keeping your knees pressed together. Raise your legs as high as you feel comfortable and INHALE If you are able, lift your arms at the floor. They can go straight in front of you (one arm on each side of your legs) or they can be raised above your head. If you are able, straighten your legs and think about taking your toes to the ceiling. Wherever you are, INHALE and EXHALE 3 times. Slowly lower your arms and legs with an EXHALE and return to your original position. Seated Twist Post How it works: Twisting poses employ a “wringing” technique common to yoga practice. The idea is that by twisting, you “wring out” the old blood from that area, and new, freshly oxygenated blood replaces it and promotes good health. How to perform the pose: Sit on the floor in a comfortable cross-legged position. Leaving your left leg where it is, move your right leg so that your foot is flat on the floor next to your left thigh and your knee is pointing towards the ceiling. Sit up tall, pushing the crown of your head towards the ceiling. INHALE EXHALE- sit up very tall and twist your upper body to the right (away from your leg), keeping your lower body as still as possible. Place your left elbow on your right thigh to help with the twist, and place your right hand on the floor behind your back Look over your right shoulder, INHALE and EXHALE 3 times while holding this pose. EXHALE- and slowly untwist, and return your right leg to its original position AFTER your upper body is straightened out. REPEAT on the other side. SOURCES: Content: http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga/health-and-wellness/yoga-for-stronger-kidneys http://www.yogajournal.com/category/poses/anatomy/kidneys/ Yoga Anatomy, Leslie Kaminoff. 2007 Pictures: http://www.yogajournal.com/category/poses/anatomy/kidneys/