Put your legs up the wall.
Putting my legs up the wall is my favorite restorative yoga pose.
I started this practice once I learned about the benefits of a simple and relaxing pose called “viparita karani”. I can remember the first time ever doing it… I knew this pose and I would be friends. I felt a sense of relief and lightness in my legs and certainly a nice stretch to the back of my legs (which I personally liked).
See, I have varicose veins in my right leg from a procedure done when I was 19. I suppose having an 11lbs baby in my late thirties didn’t help matters, but the truth is, my legs have been hard to love as a result. Most of the women in my lineage have legs with veins (we all do, right?) in some shape or form, but I believe in the possibility of shifting my genetic make up.
As a result, I’m always looking for ways of promoting circulation in my legs and putting my legs up the wall is the ticket. The only time I DON’T put my legs up is when I’m menstruating. Why? It’s another blog post for sure, but in short, our bodies are wanting to release and when we go upside down in any form while menstruating they are retaining. That’s my basic explanation. But, what a great topic for a future post.
Benefits:
- Aid in circulation from your feet to your heart
- Relaxing tired and achy feet and legs
- Grounding to the hips and pelvis
- Cooling to the nervous system
- Release for the low back
- Anchoring for the femurs into the hip sockets
- Soothing and calming to the mind
Considerations:
- Place a folded blanket under your hips so your sitbones drop slightly towards the wall.
- If you have tight hamstrings, move your buttocks further away from the wall.
- If you’re feet begin to tingle, bring the soles of your feet together for a variation.
- Set a timer for 5 minutes and work up to 10.
I suggest doing legs up the wall at the end of the day, especially if you have a standing job or find yourself on your feet for most of the day. It’s a great way to unwind and tell your body, mind, and spirit the day is done.
Enjoy!
-----
Rachel Peters is a yoga teacher, yoga health coach, lifestyle and habits expert, easeful living advocate, and lover of wild places. She leads others towards Embodying Ease through a yearlong wellness & lifestyle journey to dissolve perfectionism, embody daily habits that promote mental clarity, overall ease, and deeper connection to life on this wild ride of modern living. Learn MORE today!