January 2019 is upon us and one word keeps popping up, well, everywhere and that’s “detox.” We all seem to want to wash away the excesses of the holiday season and become a better, healthier version of ourselves. The idea of detox has been a growing one in the yoga industry. It’s time to throw cold water on the idea that exercise, including yoga, can detox the body. The liver is the body’s largest organ and has evolved to put up with a great deal of biological abuse. Because of its size and connection to two very large blood vessels, the liver is well situated to receive whatever comes through you, the good, bad, or ugly.

Will practicing yoga get your cardiovascular system working? Yes! Does this have an impact on blood flow? Yes! Does change in blood flow impact the organ systems of the body? Yes! Can eating healthily, avoiding alcohol, etc. give the liver a break from the demanding work of detoxing? Yes, it can. Does this mean you can make your liver work faster, better, stronger through an exercise or specific product/food/ritual? No, you can’t.

Choosing to begin or continue a yoga practice gives you benefits, in my opinion, far more beneficial than liver detox; I like to call it a brain detox practice. You’ll see improved health and peace of mind. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve a peaceful body and mind. It helps to manage stress and anxiety and keeps you relaxed. It also helps in increasing flexibility, muscle strength and body tone.

Let 2019 be the year you choose to bring yoga into your life. Your brain and body with thank you!

I’m back! The Christmas break was a good one and I’m excited to see everyone tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m. for All Levels Yoga. Not so sure about opening those peepers that early? I have afternoon and evening classes as well. Check out my schedule on Facebook or my website www.firefly-yoga.net.  

Reminder: My new location is 120 N. Moore St.