Health Benefits Of Legs Up The Wall Pose

This is one of my absolute most favourite poses. Putting your legs up a wall is one of the most grounding, nourishing and calming poses.

This pose is something I try and do most days of the week, especially when I’m feeling stressed, overwhelmed, tired or anxious. I learned this pose a few years ago from a naturopath when I was over-exerting myself and since then it has become a staple into my life and daily routine.

This pose has so many amazing health benefits. Just 5-10 minutes with your legs up a wall can:

• Calm the nervous system (allowing you to enter your rest and digest nervous response)
• Help with poor digestion and circulation
• Relieves lower back pain
• Relieves sore and tired legs (by draining tension from the legs and feet)
• Support thyroid function
• De-stress the mind and body allowing you to rest and restore

I like to do this pose in the evenings, often before bed or as soon as I get home from a busy day. It helps me unwind from the day, calming and centering my mind. As I have been doing this for a few years now I often sit like this for 20 minutes but some days 5-10 minutes is enough. It’s about finding what works for you, the more you practice this pose the more you will reap its amazing benefits and the longer you may want to lay there and enjoy the stillness. It’s also great for those who struggle to fall asleep or have insomnia. Research has shown that 15 minutes in this position is equivalent to one hour of sleep. 

It may look funny but trust me it can really do wonders for your health. Many people now days are living in their ‘fight or flight’ sympathetic nervous system response. We are often rushing around and stressing over life situations which over time puts a huge tax on our adrenal glands to constantly release cortisol. This pose is great to help restore your adrenal glands and lower cortisol levels. 

When lying like this it’s also important to pay attention to your breathing. Breathe slowly and deeply into your belly to really get into your ‘rest and digest’ mode.

To get into this pose all you need to do is sit with your bum and hips against the wall, roll onto your back taking your legs up the wall and your hands out wide, or over your head (whatever works for you) and breathe slowly, deeply into your belly. You could also place a cushion/folded blanket/bolster under your pelvis if that is more comfortable.

Give it a go and let me know how you get on!

Nat xx