If you are experiencing a hangover, or know someone who has, you know that its nasty effects take a long time to wear off. Running to take paracetamol or ibuprofen could cause bigger damage to our liver or kidneys because these painkillers reduce the blood pressure in these organs.
Instead of a painkiller, we suggest an antidote: yoga.
Yoga Asanas for Hangovers
Balasana or Child Pose
The gravitational attraction of this posture gives a feeling of emotional, mental, and body relief. Balasana makes the breathing process stronger and constant and improves the blood circulation in the body.
Steps:
- Kneel on the mat and sit on your heels.
- Raise your arms over your head. Inhale.
- Bend your upper body forward.
- Put your forehead on the floor. Your pelvis should rest on your heels.
- Make sure your back is not hunched.
Bitilasana-Marjaryasana (Cat-Cow Pose)
- Get down on your knees, and place palms under your shoulders and knees under your hips.
- Inhale, curve your spine to look up.
- Exhale, curve your spine to form an arch of the back, and allow your neck to drop down.
- Focus your gaze towards your chest.
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
This asana can help relieve headaches and the feeling of heaviness that is a symptom of a hangover.
- Begin on your hands and knees. Your wrists should be underneath your shoulders, and your knees below your hips.
- Inhale as you tuck your toes under your heels. Then exhale to lift your hips, coming into an upside-down “V” shape called Downward Facing Dog.
- Spread your fingers wide and create a straight line between your middle fingers and elbows. Work on straightening your legs and lowering your heels toward the ground. Your heels should be slightly wider than your toes, so the outside edges of your feet are parallel with the outside edges of your mat.
- Relax your head between your arms, and direct your gaze through your legs or up toward your belly button. Work on holding for five breaths.
Baddha Konasana
The Sanskrit name Baddha Konasana is made of three words: Baddha, Kona, and Asana, which means Bound Angle Pose.
Steps:
- Fold your legs and bring the soles of your feet together.
- Bring your heels closer to your pelvis.
- Slowly push your knees down. Exhale all the air from your tummy.
- Lean your upper body forward.
- Place your forehead on the floor.
Supta Matsyendrasana or Supine Spinal Twist
It is a regenerating posture, SUPTA MATSYENDRASANASA helps to hydrate the spinal discs while the stretching relaxes and helps to realign the spine discs. It massages the abdominal organs through the elimination of toxins. The twist in this asana stimulates the flow of fresh blood to the digestive organs, improving, in this way, the health of all digestive systems. It is also therapeutic for stress.
- Lay on your back and bring your knees into your chest.
- Let both knees fall to the right. Your right hand can gently hold the outside of your left knee.
- Sweep your left arm up and extend the arm down to rest on the ground.
- Gaze at the ceiling or toward the side of your outstretched arm.
- Hold for 1 minute on each side.
Yoga is a fantastic tool to recover from a hangover and is a panacea because it frees us from toxins, improving the circulation and the digestive system.