When pain strikes your lower abdomen and it burns each time you urinate, the yoga pose downward-facing dog may be the last thing you think of. However, yoga can aid in kidney cleansing and help those who suffer from kidney stones. Yoga can help your body cure a number of ills, as well as help to keep it functioning its best, according to MayoClinic.com.
Kidney Cleanses
Kidney cleanses can be done for a variety of reasons. They are sometimes performed in conjunction with liver or colon cleanses for general detoxification purposes. They are also performed by those who have, or suspect they have, kidney stones. The cleansing is often comprised of a six week regimen of daily preparation of drinking of an herbal tea containing hydrangea root, gravel root, marshmallow root and fresh parsley, according to Hulda Clark, M.D.
Forward Bending Postures
Yoga instructor Tias Little recommends forward bending postures to stretch the low back region and ease the compression of your kidneys caused by too much sitting. Allowing space into the low back through forward bends allows your kidneys to work optimally and flush themselves. Head to knee pose, stretching pose and half tortoise pose all fall into the category of forward bending postures.
Twisting Postures
Twisting postures can encourage the circulation of fresh blood through the kidneys, and allow the stagnant blood to move through the organs to the rest of the body, according to Little. These include standing twists, seated postures or lying twists such as the noose pose, half lord of the fishes pose and bharadvajasana twist.
A Healthy Diet
Though yoga can aid in your kidney cleanse, it is important to follow a healthy diet everyday. MayoClinic.com recommends a regimen of lean protein, low fat dairy, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, vegetables, seeds and nuts.
Though a kidney cleanse can detoxify, it is not a replacement for regular exercise and healthy diet. See your doctor before undertaking new therapies or programs.
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