Natural Liver Detox, Digestive Power & More
Liver Detox
Natural Detoxification Technique
In this part of our all natural detoxification program, I want to focus on two very important aspects of full body detoxification - liver detox and firing up your digestive system. In part 1 of this series, Detox Diet Mistakes, I not only provided a list of incompatible foods, but also stressed the importance of building your digestive fire in order to prevent the build up of toxins in the first place. Today’s article will teach you precisely such a technique, which is excellent for your digestive system and also, has the additional benefit for being a great liver detox technique. Best of all, it is a completely natural way to cleanse the liver.
Natural Liver Detoxification:
Liver detoxification is an absolute must if you want to live a healthy, disease free and long life. The liver is the largest organ in the body, and quite possibly the hardest working as well. Our life style and diet choices often put this organ under immense stress and it is very important to give the liver much deserved love and care from time to time.
The liver is the most important organ for neutralizing toxins in the body and helping the body detox. And although that is one it’s key functions, the liver has many other important roles as well. It participates in the metabolic process, plays a role in digestion, stores energy, vitamins and minerals for us, and also plays a role in immune function. The list goes on. So, cleansing and taking good care of your liver is a must. Detox the liver, so it can help you detox your body. You can find more information on this most generous and hard working organ here: Liver Wiki.
Digestive Power:
According to Ayurveda, a strong digestive fire is your best defense against toxins. A digestive system that is functioning well, will prevent the buildup of undigested food mass and also prevent the buildup of toxins. So along with cleansing the liver, improving the digestive system is essential for setting a good foundation for living toxin free. This particular technique, as mentioned above is great for these two purposes and so can play a very key role in any detoxification program.
This particular detox technique, is called Pavan Sodhung Kriya, and will be part of the following 3 free e-books here on Mastery of Meditation, as it is a Kundalini Yoga exercise, a full Kriya, as well as a Hatha Yoga technique: Online Kundalini Yoga Exercises, Free Online Kundalini Yoga Sets & Hatha Yoga Poses e-book.
Benefits of Liver Detox Technique (Pavan Sodhung Kriya):
- Excellent technique to Detox and Cleanse the Liver.
- Very good for improving and building the Digestive System.
- Expels gas and helps prevent bloating.
- Cures constipation and other digestive issues.
- Builds the abdominal muscles and tones the stomach (a lot
).
- Balances the Navel Chakra.
- Bestows Willpower and Strength of Character.
- Expands the Pranic Body
- Helps fight deep seated fears, including the fear of death.
- Builds lung capacity.
If you were debating whether or not to include this kriya in your detox program, that list above should put any indecision to rest .
Natural Liver Detox Illustrations:
Natural Liver Detox Illustration #1
Natural Liver Detox Illustration #2
Natural Liver Detox Illustration #3
Liver Detox Technique Cautions:
Although this is a completely natural way of detoxifying the liver, some caution is required since the technique using breath retention (on inhale and exhale).
- Do not hold your breath longer than you are comfortable doing. Build up your capacity slowly over time. Start with just a few seconds and then go from there. This applies to any technique which using breath retention.
- Be careful of your lower back and use the modification I have shown to support it while doing this practice as well (placing the hands underneath the buttocks).
Liver Detox Technique Practice Details:
- Lie on your back and close your eyes. Place your hands, palms facing down, underneath your buttocks to support your lower back as I have demonstration in illustration # 1.
- Now inhale deeply, hold your breath as you raise your legs to 60 degrees as I have shown in illustration #2. As I mentioned, start with just a few seconds and build up to 15 seconds if you can. So hold this position with your breath held in for as long as comfortable (up to 15 seconds).
- Now exhale as you bring your knees in towards your chest as I have shown in illustration #3. Hold this position, with breath held out for up to 15 seconds.
- Now return to the position in illustration #2 as you inhale. Again hold it for up to 15 seconds with your breath held in. If it starts to feel tough, remember how happy your liver is that you are doing this, and how much better you will feel after you detox your system.
- Finally, lower your legs and return to the starting position as you exhale. Now remain in this position for up to 15 seconds with your breath held out.
- Next inhale and move back to illustration #2, and hold for 15 seconds, and continue to repeat this cycle for the duration of the time.
Liver Detox Technique Tips:
- I mentioned in the benefits section that this technique can help you fight fears, and that is essentially the result of the breath retention aspects of this exercise. Once you start to get more confident, you can elongate those breath retention periods, and try to stay calm as you feel panicky during these periods. This applies primarily to when you have your breath held out.
Natural Liver Detox Summary:
Making Pavan Sodhung Kriya a part of your practice from time to time, is really a great way to keep toxins away and cleanse your liver and body. This sequence is so good that it is considered an entire set all on it’s own. If you really want to detox your liver, build your digestive system and get six pack abs, you can build up to 31 minutes straight. I would suggest though to start with about 3 minutes and then go from there.
Time to show your liver some love, after all the love it has shown you .
Benefiting from Mastery of Meditation & Yoga? 
on June 9th, 2009 at 3:59 am
Along with practicing Pavan Sodhung Kriya, you can also follow some natural detoxing guidelines to keep your liver detoxified. You should avoid consuming hydrogenated vegetable oils, sugar and processed foods. Add foods that are rich in anti-oxidants (like citrus fruits, raw vegetables) along with foods rich in natural antibiotics (like garlic, onion and olive leaf extract); to your daily diet.
Regards,
SharonHill
on June 9th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Great information to help with detox. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Best,
Anmol
on June 10th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Dear Anmol,
Thanks for sharing this simple yet powerful Kriya. Good Bye to all false detox products,let us do it in the natural way.
Regards
Babu
on June 13th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
[…] Anmol Mehta touches on principles of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing system, and descirbes an exercise for a natural liver detox. […]
on June 13th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I never knew you could detox with using herbs .or botanicals This is great to know.
on June 16th, 2009 at 1:48 am
Dear Anmol,
After reading your article, I have started practicing “Pavan Soudhang Kriya” to detox my liver. After the kriya I feel a great lot of soothing comfort inside my chest (it’s like the effect of menthol or vicks on my chest). I think this is due to the increased flow of oxygenated blood to the body cells.
I have a little discomfort in keeping the posture after breath out. I think breath out and holding is more difficult than breath in and holding. Whenever I do breath out and hold, a strange type of unknown fear is originating from navel chakra (abdomen). I feel like I am going to die. Is this normal for a beginner ? Please advise how to practice the breath out and holding technique.
Thanks
Babu
on June 16th, 2009 at 10:20 am
This is perfectly fine for beginners. See the benefits section item #9. It helps fight deep seated fears and the fear of death. So along with detoxification, this exercise does a great deal more as you can see.
The advise with any breath held out technique is to go slow and not over strain. Hold the breath out for only as long as you are comfortable and slowly push the level of fear you are dealing with.
Another exercise which also helps fight fear, is Cat Cow Variation for Fighting Fear. You can use that one as well to make progress with overcoming this fear. Also, you are seeing the actual affects of the Chakra, as it is being cleansed.
Let me know how it goes.
Best,
Anmol
on June 16th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Just what I need after my vacation in Waikiki. Haha.
Thanks!
on June 17th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Waikiki… that’s what I need :-D….
Cheers,
Anmol
on July 21st, 2009 at 3:01 am
[…] Powerful Natural Liver Detox […]
on January 6th, 2010 at 12:53 am
Dear Anmol,
I just a general health screening. The test shows there is some abnormalities in my liver. There is a part SGPT -68 , SGOT 48 and GGT 90.These figures are all abover the normal range 0-30 and 0-50 respectively. I asked the doctor if anything could be done , he simply said nothing could be done but just to avoid oily foods. There exercises which you have demonstrated will it help and what should I do further to have a healthy liver.Really worried and feeling anxious.Please advise.
Thanks
Sylvia
on February 24th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Thank you for sharing this great liver cleansing technique. A quick session resulted in a feeling of increased energy flow throughout my whole body. I will keep it up and expect to see much improvement with my liver. Namaste!
on February 25th, 2010 at 6:41 am
Hi Anmol.
Really awesome information you have here.
Really appreciate you sharing all this with us.
A quick query on “Pavan Soudhang Kriya”-
sometimes due to lack on time I do not do my entire yoga / pranyama regimen. Is it ok to do the Pavan Soudhang Kriya in isolation?
Are there any warm up / cooling down exercises required before / after the Kriya?
Look forward to your response,
Once again, thanks for sharing such awesome information.
Warm regards
Ala
on February 25th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
[…] Best Yoga Exercises & Sets of 2009 In case you missed any of them, here are the top 5 yoga exercises and sets that the readers enjoyed and benefited from most in 2009. 1. Yoga Position for Beginner’s | Best Basic yoga Poses: This is a very complete set of simple yoga exercises which everyone can do. This set works on your balance, flexibility and strength. In addition, this set is designed to work on all parts of your body. Thus, your upper body, lower body and abs, all get a good workout and tuneup. I strongly recommend this set for anyone looking to start or try yoga, or looking for a regular gentle yoga practice. This set is also a key part of the very popular Free Beginner’s Yoga Class, which was also launched last year. 2. Tantric Yoga Exercises for Sexual Potency: Although this set of yoga exercises is primarily designed for men, it is an effective set for women to practice as well. It consists of the best yoga techniques to open and balance the Sex Chakra, and the best techniques to increase sexual potency. This set is a core component of the Free Tantra Yoga Sex Chakra Program. 3. Seven Chakra Healing and Kundalini Awakening Set: If you are interested in Chakra Balancing and Kundalini, this set is for you. It is a set which incorporates some of the best chakra balancing techniques and progressively leads you through each chakra, starting from the root chakra to the crown chakra. This set too plays an important part in the free online classes, and specifically it is part of the Seven Chakra Balancing and Healing Program. 4. Powerful Technique for Natural Liver Detox: The liver is the one of the most important organs in the body and for all the hard work it does, it sure deserves some love and attention. This is where Pavan Sodhung Kriya is very useful. This exercise is great for flushing the liver of toxins and at the same time, it helps you tone and strengthen your stomach and abdominal muscles. Although it is not part of an online class yet, a Full Body Detox Program is in the works for 2010, and you can be sure this exercise will be part of that program. 5. Yoga for Abs, Legs, Buttocks and Full Body Fitness: For those of you really interested in getting fit, and developing your chest, shoulders, arms, abs, thighs and buttocks, you should check out this set. It will prove how useful yoga can be in building muscle strength and overall fitness. Many readers were quite surprised that yoga could deliver such good results in the areas of muscle development and strength training. Best Meditation Techniques of 2009 […]
on February 27th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Ala,
Thank you for your positive comment.
The Pavan Soudhang Kriya is a complete Kriya in itself and can be performed on its own.
All the best,
Trupti
on February 27th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Annly | Lauren,
Thank you for your positive comments. Glad to be of service :-)
Namaste,
Trupti
on February 27th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Slyvia,
This page has the relative yoga exercises that you can follow for the health of your Liver. Also, as the doctor said, avoid oily foods in addition to sugar and processed foods which tend to contain added chemicals.
All the best,
Trupti
on March 3rd, 2010 at 9:53 pm
[…] Natural Liver Detox, Digestive Power & More […]
on March 7th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Hi Anmol,
I have been practicing the Pavan Soudhang Kriya. Sometimes I feel breathless while doing it - is that normal or am I doing something wrong.
I look forward to your kind answer.
Thanks & regards
Ala
on March 17th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Hi,
I would like to know, in general can these kriyas/asanas be performed during the menstrual cycle….are there any exceptions?
on March 22nd, 2010 at 9:51 am
Hi Anmol,
Really wonderful stuff you have here - I just cannot stop gushing about it and have also spoken to my friends about your site.
The Pavan Soudhang Kriya - I have been doing it for about 3 weeks now..regularly.
I hold for a count of 8 - not yet reached a count of 15.
And I now do about 9 to 10 cycles.
I have a query - I get breathless after 3 cycles. I spot for about 30 seconds and then continue.
Is it normal to feel breathless? Do let me know if I am doing something wrong.
I am trying to get to hold for a count of 15. How many cycles it is the ideal for a day?
I look forward to your response.
And once again, appreciate the great stuff you are doing with your site.
Warm regards
Ala
on March 26th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Vasudha,
In general Yoga asanas can be performed during the cycle except for those that put pressure on the abdominal\groin areas and those that require the pelvic region to be streched\spread.
As for the Liver detox - I would not recommend that as it does put pressure on the abdominal area. And if you do want to do it- do it at half the power.
All the best,
Trupti
on March 26th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Ala,
If you are getting breathless then you should continue your progress systematically - don’t overdo it.
3-5 minutes is good which you can then build up to 7 or 11 minutes and see how you feel. The number of the cycles depends on how long you are able to hold your breath.
All the best,
Trupti
on July 27th, 2010 at 6:26 am
I just want to say that the Liver Detox Technique is really effective! I have been doing detox for a while but all have been based on some kind of diet and never one on an exercise. It seems to relieve bloated stomach.