The year is coming to an end with great strides and we feel the inner conflict between the old and the new. It is important now to take the time to bring things to a close. Only then can we start the new year strengthened and with a clear mind. The perfect support for body, mind and soul is, for example, a detox cure. This takes place on several levels. On the one hand, nutrition plays an important role. But gentle movements also support you in releasing waste products, bringing your Kapha into balance and activating digestion.
As Kapha is predominant at this time of year, many people have an excess of this dosha. They feel sluggish and listless. That's why we've put together three asanas for kapha that will bring your dosha back into balance. The following postures activate the energy flow of the Manipura Chakra, which in Ayurveda is associated with digestion and metabolism. It is located in the area of the middle lumbar spine at the level of the navel and supplies your digestive organs with energy. It ignites and regulates the digestive fire Agni, activates liver and stomach and thus strengthens your inner power. This is why the Manipura Chakra is mainly activated by asanas that ignite heat in the body and gently rotate the centre of the body.
You don't know which constitution type you are? Click here for our Dosha test.
1. the cobra
The cobra or "Bhunjangasana" is a wonderful heart opener while lying down, which also strengthens and massages your back muscles. The gentle pressure on the abdomen also works wonders against constipation. And this is how it works:
- Lie prone on your yoga mat. Your feet are hip-width apart and the backs of your feet press gently into the mat.
- Place your hands directly under your shoulders. Your fingertips point forward.
- With the next inhalation, actively press your hands into the mat and gently lift your upper body. Your arms remain slightly bent, your gaze points towards the ceiling and your chest is now wonderfully opened.
- Welcome to the cobra! Allow yourself three deep breaths here and enjoy this soothing heart opener before you find your way back to the mat. Feel for it.
2. the twisted chair
Kapha types are very persistent, but when there is an excess, they also tend to be sluggish and store toxins. And this in turn disturbs the flow of energy in the body. To unblock the energy pathways, the twisted chair or "Parivrtta Utkatasana" - the second of our three asanas for Kapha - is particularly well suited. This is how it works:
- Stand upright on your yoga mat with your legs closed so that the balls of your big toes touch.
- Inhale, bend the knees and sit deeply in your chair. The arms go up and point towards the ceiling.
- Also pay attention to the posture of your head. The ears are between the arms and the gaze points proudly forward. Breathe.
- Remain in the chair, place your palms on top of each other and centre them in front of your chest. Now gently turn your upper body to the right so that the left elbow touches your right knee. Keep your hands centred, knees deeply bent and facing forward. The right hip tends to want to move slightly forward, the left knee slightly back.
- Give yourself three more deep breaths here before returning to standing and performing the twist on the other side.
3. the inverted hero attitude
The reverse hero pose, also called "Viparta Virabhadrasana II", is a very powerful asana that both strengthens your legs and creates warmth in the centre of your body. As it stretches the entire upper body, you will notice how much this exercise allows you to breathe more deeply. Here we go:
- Begin this Asana in Downward Looking Dog. Your upper body, legs and yoga mat form a triangle.
- With the next inhalation raise your right leg upwards. With the exhalation bring your knee to your chest and place your foot between your hands.
- Inhaling bring the arms up over the sides and come into your Warrior I. The back leg is extended, the front knee is aligned over the ankle.
- With your next inhalation, open your arms so that they are parallel to the floor. The right now points forward, the left backward, your gaze proudly directed forward over the right hand. Breathe and enjoy Warrior II.
- Turn your right palm upwards. With an inhalation your right arm pulls you forward as far as it can.
- With an exhalation, lean back with pleasure. Your left arm rests gently on your thigh while your right arm stretches and pulls back over your head. Welcome to the reverse hero's pose. Feel the pleasant stretch in the entire right side of your body and take three deep breaths before returning to Warrior II.
- Try this asana on the other side and see if you feel a difference.
