What’s a party without a hangover after several rounds of booze? It’s only when the night fades away, that you feel the effect of a nasty hangover. And those who’ve been through it, know it that it can take a long to wear off. Imagine yourself starting your day with unpleasant feelings and an oh-so-awful hangover. Sounds irritable, isn’t it? Ever thought of yoga to cure your hangover?
Well, most of us reach out to the medicine box or a glass of lemon water as a home remedy to deal with a hangover. However, popping a pill can have repercussions and can aggravate the effect of alcohol on the liver too. In that case, you can turn to a healthier antidote: yoga.
Why is yoga recommended for a hangover?
Yoga, being a spiritual practice, has been practiced by people globally for years. Known for its umpteen health and revival benefits, it speeds up the recovery process of a hangover.
Additionally, you can level up your water intake, fresh juices, or other caffeine-free beverages to transition from a head-pounding feeling to a relaxed one.
Check out Sarvesh Shashi’s Instagram post on yoga for hangover!
Yoga asanas to deal with a hangover
The benefits of yoga stretch from physical to mental health. Celebrity yoga expert Sarvesh Shahi has suggested 5 yoga poses that can help reduce the side effects of hangover.
“Dealing with hangovers can be really difficult if you aren’t mindful about your choices. Become aware of your body’s limits and respect them, if you want to be more in tune with yourself,” says Shashi.
So, roll out your yoga mat or hit a yoga studio to practice these asanas like a pro.
1. Balasana (Child’s pose)
It is one of the easy-to-perform yoga poses. This pose puts slight pressure on the abdomen and helps the body to unwind and relax. Alongside, it also promotes the circulation of lymph that further detoxifies the body of unnecessary waste.
Here’s how to perform this pose:
* Lie down on your knees.
* Start by bending your body forward while you stay stationed on your heels, while keeping your body flat on the ground.
* You will feel a slight stretch along your entire spine.
* Stay in this pose for a minute.
* Stretch your arms and hands forward to the right and left respectively. * Continue doing so for 30 seconds each.
2. Cat-Cow pose
Not only does the cat-cow pose ease any pain in the back, but it also helps your body de-stress and relax post that hangover.
Here’s how to perform this pose:
* Start by leaning your hands and knees forward in a table pose while keeping your spine neutral.
* Begin with the cow pose by inhaling and lifting your sit bones and chest upward and letting your belly sink.
* Inhale and transition into the cat pose by curving/rounding your spine and tucking your chin inwards.
* Calm down and get back to your normal position. Repeat this 5-8 times.
3. Malasana (Garland pose)
This traditional squat pose helps with easy bowel movement and puts light pressure on the liver promoting healthy cleansing.
Here’s how to perform this pose:
* Just like we bend down for regular squats, bend in the same way, keeping some distance between both feet.
* The spine needs to stay straight but should move in the direction of the floor.
* Relax your shoulders and hold this pose for five breaths.
* Then, straighten out your legs to come back to a normal position.
4. Baddha Konsana (Cobbler’s pose)
A hangover surely demands a tight strength of muscles in your body. Ideal to regain normal posture and daily stretching, this pose also preps you for other yoga poses.
Here’s how to perform this pose:
* Start by bending your knees and joining the soles of your feet together. Let your knees bend on either side.
* Push your feet closer to your body.
* Compress the outer edges of your feet together with force.
* Sit up with a straight spine. Hold this pose for 2-3 minutes.
5. Navasana or Naukasana (Boat Pose)
Raved about for ages, boat pose works well on building abdominal and core strength. It helps attain the right balance of our body when our muscles become weak post long sitting hours.
Here’s how to perform this pose:
* Start in a seated position with your bent knees and feet on the floor. * Keep your hands at the back of your knees, and lift your legs to a 45-degree angle.
* When you lift your legs upwards, your torso will eventually go back but you have to maintain balance by relying on your core strength as you inhale.
* In this pose, with your torso, and legs half upwards, your body will make a V shape.
* Hold this pose for at least 2-5 breaths.
* Then bring down your arms parallel to the floor and get your legs straight to come out of it.
Now the next time you end up drinking more alcohol than you can handle, remember yoga is bae!