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Many people experience inflammation when they wake up in the morning. While this isn’t usually a major health concern, it can become quite a nuisance, particularly for those trying to lose weight. There are many anti-inflammatory breakfast foods you can try to incorporate into your diet to try to combat inflammation, but you can also try some yoga or stretches to help restore your body to its normal state.
Inflammation is often caused by swelling or sore muscles. Yoga can reduce stress, which in turn reduces inflammation. Plus, the physical act of stretching can help restore swollen muscles and the inflammation within them.
One of the best stretches you can try each morning to reduce inflammation is the Supine Twist, which involves gently twisting your spine while laying on your back. You stretch your lower body in one direction and upper body in the opposite to benefit multiple areas of your body.
The Supine Twist gently massages your organs to encourage new blood flow to them. It generates flexibility in your spine to reduce chronic inflammation.
Steps to do the Supine Twists:
- Lie on your back and hug your knees in toward your chest
- Drop both knees to the right side
- Stretch your arms out into a “T” position at your sides, directly in line with your shoulders
- Turn your head towards the left
- Hold the pose for 5 to 7 breaths
- Repeat on the opposite side