Wellness Wednesday: Invert the Day

Hi friends,

Lately we at The Well Daily have been breaking every afternoon to do this yoga pose. Even if it's just for a minute or two, it helps us refocus and energize. Try it and let us know what you think!

xoxo,

Sukey

When your world feels like it's turned on its head and things start spinning out of control, there is no better resolution than a few minutes of legs-up-the-wall pose. Legs-up-the-wall is a passive, mild inversion that is fully loaded with health benefits.

Ready to put your legs up? First, place your yoga mat perpendicular to a wall with a folded blanket against the wall at the edge of the mat. Sit on the blanket with your right side body facing the wall. Gently begin to swing your legs up the wall and allow your upper body to recline, letting your shoulders, back and head softly reach the mat beneath you.

When your entire back is resting on the mat, adjust how close your sitting bones are to the wall. (This will depend on the flexibility of your hamstrings and hips; do not force it, because this pose should feel absolutely wonderful.)

Once you've got your legs up, close your eyes and breathe deeply, letting each breath create space in your body and draw your senses inward. Just as the mind empties, the feet and legs drain and blood and nutrients rush from the legs toward the chest, heart and head. This shift in blood flow sends oxygen to your upper body, refreshing the mind and opening the heart center. Ease your way out of the pose and feel delightfully awakened.

The Well Wisdom: The restorative nature of this pose is what truly makes it a critical component for your daily practice if relaxation and rejuvenation are your main goals. Another practical way to use it? If you're in the middle of a long day and there's no time for a cat nap, find a wall and spend 5 minutes with your legs up. We guarantee you'll feel recharged, rested and ready to tackle the rest of your day.

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