Compression postures in yoga refer to poses that squeeze or massage the internal organs, muscles, veins, or ligaments, such as forward bends and twists. These types of positions are often associated with Bikram yoga, which places emphasis on compression postures due to their ability to provide a healing "tourniquet effect" on various bodily systems and internal organs.
Tourniquet Effect
The term "tourniquet effect" refers to the compression and subsequent release of any part of the digestive, lymphatic, or circulatory systems. During the compression, blood flow is restricted to certain areas of the body. When you release the posture, freshly oxygenated blood flows back into the area. According to the Bikram Yoga website, this compression action and subsequent release creates a dual cleansing effect. First, toxins are pushed out of the body's tissues. Next, fresh blood floods the area with nutrients, promoting healthy cell growth.
Additional Benefits
The freshly oxygenated blood provided by compression postures helps improve circulation, boosts the immune system and promotes the optimal function of the body's various systems. For every compression, there is also a stretch on the opposite side of the body. For example, while you are compressing the front part of the body by placing your forehead on your knee, you are also stretching and lengthening the back side of the body.
Types of Postures
Seated or standing forward bends massage the digestive organs, which improves the digestive process and stimulates liver and kidney function. They also provide fresh blood to the brain, which can help relieve stress, headaches, and insomnia, and compress the thyroid, which helps regulate the metabolism. Twisting postures also squeeze the internal organs, which helps to flush out toxins and regenerate the digestive system. Seated twists, such as Half Lord of the Fishes Pose, can stimulate appetite and improve digestive function.
Considerations
Bikram Yoga classes emphasize placing the forehead on the knee during forward bends into order to receive the maximum benefit from the compression action. After each posture, resting in corpse pose is recommended to allow the cleansing process to occur and circulation to return to normal.
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