How to Cure a Hangover with Yoga

Summertime parting means summertime hangovers! Especially if you're the healthy type, even a few drinks and staying up late can zap the next day's plans for fun in the sun. Try a light and easy Yoga practice to help you detoxify and re-energize. These simple moves are specifically designed to detoxify your liver, recharge your electromagnetic field and breathe life into those tired muscles.

Before you begin, drink a tall glass of water-go ahead and make it two. Remember, a hangover is mostly dehydration, so keep drinking water and juices, not soda, throughout the day. As always, exhibit caution when doing any new exercises. See a doctor if pain or problems persist.

Start out by lying on your back. Take a few deep breaths, and lift your feet up in the air. If it's easier, you can scoot yourself up to a wall, letting your feet rest on the wall. Relax and breathe deeply. Try to clear your mind and not worry about anything for two minutes while your feet remain in the air.

Lie flat on your back again and begin to move your feet back and forth, alternately pointing and flexing with each foot for 30 seconds.

Then begin to raise and lower alternate knees for another 30 seconds. Go slowly and relax the rest of your body as you breathe.

Still lying on your back, start to raise and lower alternate shoulders. Move your shoulders back and forth like a snake for one minute.

Pull your knees into your chest, wrap your arms around them and give yourself a big hug. After last night, you may need one! Relax your grip, but keep holding your knees as you lift your head and begin neck circles. Rotate your head all the way around several times and switch directions. Don't forget to breathe.

Next, pull only your right knee into your chest and take what we call a cat stretch, by gently pulling your knee over to the left side. Extend your right arm as you relax and breathe deeply. Hug the knee back in and repeat on the left side.

Now roll over onto your right side, lifting your left leg into the air. Just relax as your kidneys naturally drain out all of last night's toxins. Stay here for a minute, and then switch to the other side.

Just one more thing and you're ready to go! Roll over onto your stomach. Start to kick your butt with alternate feet. Move vigorously, breathing through every movement. If your foot doesn't reach your butt, that's ok. Just get as close as you can. It's fun, and you can imagine kicking your own butt for ordering that third cocktail, or fourth, or fifth...

Now that you've moved and breathed a little bit, your body has had time to detoxify and repair. If you still feel stiff, take a little break and do this exercise again. Give yourself permission to take it easy today, and think twice before ordering your next drink!

Reference:

Pritam Hari Kaur, Kundalini Yoga Fan. 2003. pg. 15, 22