Hangovers are never fun, but they do happen occasionally.

The most important things to if we have a hangover is to drink a lot of water and stay easy. Allow the body to rest. It has endured a lot of toxins and probably a lot of crazy fun, so we’ll need to provide proper healing tools.

Here is a yoga routine that will help heal the body, detox from the alcohol and find ease when we’re feeling crappy:

“Rolley” Cat Cows:

We’ll start on our hands and knees, stacking our shoulders over our wrists and hips over our knees. Moving with our breath, start by looking up as we inhale and looking down as we exhale. It’s fun to move the body round about, in big circles, to really loosen up all the areas of the back, the hips, the neck and the shoulders.

Move gently and as slowly as needed.

Detox Twists:

Twists are always fun! They get the insides moving and twists totally help to release toxins that have built up in the body.

We’ll sit back on our heels and turn to the right, bringing the right fingers down to the floor or wrapped around our back while keeping the left hand resting on the right knee. With every exhale, we’ll twist a bit more, moving into the space we’re creating with our long, comfortable, and relaxed deep breathes. Then do the other side.

Child’s Pose:

It is so important to rest. Stretch the hands out in front and ease the body down, sinking down onto the ankles. It is also sometimes nice to keep the arms along by our sides. It gives the shoulders a nice break. Close your eyes and breathe deeply, allowing the body to sink down.

Plank Pose:

Staying in plank for a few deep breathes is a great way to detoxify because we’ll start to sweat!

Upward Facing Dog:

From plank pose, lower down and then inhale the chest up and open. Maybe look over one shoulder and then the other. It is nice to drop the thighs down to the mat so we can relax and sway a little side to side. This pose can really help release tension and gives the opportunity to roll the neck a little and relax the head and mind.

Headstand!

Headstands are super fun and are a great way to get the blood pumping up to the head.

We’ll start by sitting back on our heels and very gently lacing the hands together. Then, we’ll rest our forearms down on the mat and place the crown of the head between them. I like to put more of my weight on my forearms than my head, especially if I have a headache. Then, lift the hips.

Just like Down Dog, Dolphin (Down Dog on the forearms) is also an inversion so we can stay right here if we don’t feel ready to lift up into a headstand! If a headstand is what we want to do, practice lifting one leg and then the other to get the feel for what it’s like to have the hips over the shoulders. Then, using your core lift the toes right off the floor. The legs don’t have to be completely straight or all the way up. I play around with what my headstand looks like. I just love the feeling of flying!

After the headstand, it’s nice to rest in a child’s pose again and maybe sit up for more detox twists.

Deeper Detox Twists:

Sitting in easy pose with the legs crossed, take hold of the right knee with the left hand and twist to the right. To get a deeper twist, walk the right hand farther behind the hips. Then do the other side.

Head to Knee:

Staying seated, we’ll extend the right leg out to the side. Then we’ll gently walk our hands out so they’re on the floor on either side of either the knee or ankle. Breathing deeply, ease the chest down so that the forehead might touch the knee. Don’t push. Go where it feels nice. Then do the other side.

Now, let’s go get a big glass of water.

I hope this routine helps you feel great!

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Author: Stacy Porter

Editor: Ashleigh Hitchcock

Photo: courtesy of the author