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 .
Hi,
I would like to know, in general can these kriyas/asanas be performed during the menstrual cycle….are there any exceptions?
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
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
Annly | Lauren,
Thank you for your positive comments. Glad to be of service :-)
Namaste,
Trupti
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
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
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!
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
Hey Shadow,
Waikiki… that’s what I need :-D….
Cheers,
Anmol
Just what I need after my vacation in Waikiki. Haha.
Thanks!
Dear Babu,
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
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
I never knew you could detox with using herbs .or botanicals This is great to know.
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
Hi Sharon,
Great information to help with detox. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
Best,
Anmol
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