Wellness 7th September 2022 by Adele Miner

Have You Heard About The ‘Legs Up The Wall’ Wellness Trend?

It's said to relax both the body and mind

A wellness trend called ‘legs up the wall’ has been doing the rounds on social media lately. And it wouldn’t be like us not to jump on a bandwagon.

Digging into the phenomenon, the position is actually a long-standing yoga pose, promising restoration and relaxation for those who practice it. It’s easy to do, all it requires is a wall, some legs, and a couple of minutes to out of your day.

So what has people so obsessed with it?

Well, this pose is gaining a cult following for the benefits it brings in exchange for very little in return. It’s an accessible way to bring some mindfulness into your life and those already aboard the legs-up-the-wall train can’t stop ranting about its benefits.

The pose allows your body to rest in a position that it’s not usually treated to. By putting your legs upward it slows gravity to get to work in a way that it simply can’t for most of the day. Studies have shown that it gets the blood flowing back up toward your heart, strengthening your circulation and placing your body in a state of relaxation.

@viktoriayadrina #legsupthewall#health#fypシ#yoga#foryou#didyouknow ♬ memories – Maroon 5

How do I do it?

To try out the pose for yourself, all you need to do is place your hips/bum against a wall while lying flat on your back. You can use a cushion or any folded material to place under your hips and/or head to make the pose more comfortable.

Once you’re in position then all you need to do is stretch out your legs on the wall. You can keep a slight bend in your legs or straighten them out if that’s comfortable for you.

It’s recommended that you stay in the position for a minimum of five minutes and a maximum of twenty. Relax the rest of your body, set an alarm and stay put for as long as you have time for that day.

What are the benefits?

Legs-up-the-wall offers tonnes of benefit for both your physical and mental health. The passive pose can help to reduce stress and anxiety as well as help circulation and lower-back pain.

The perfect pose to try out if you’ve spent the day cramped over a computer screen, if you’ve just got off a flight, or if you just want a couple of minutes to yourself without breaking out the yoga mat.

Here’s the full comprehensive list of benefits it claims to give:

  • Stress relief
  • Relieves leg and feet cramps
  • Helps lower back tension
  • Promotes lymph flow
  • Manages varicose veins
  • Improves circulation
  • Improves digestion
  • Helps to balance blood pressure
  • Relieves headache and migraine
  • Increased energy
  • Stretches hamstrings and glutes

Of course, with any wellness trend, it can sometimes claim to give more benefits than it actually does. However, it’s a worthwhile way to add a little calmness to your day without working up too much of a sweat.

Many yoga experts recommend that you avoid the one if you have any concerns with blood coming to the head, or if you suffer from glaucoma, hernia, or hypertension. Similarly, many recommend that you give the pose a miss during certain heavy flow days during your menstrual cycle, but this is a personal choice.

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