I am currently in southern Spain with my husband’s family, enjoying the Mediterranean Sea and the Mediterranean heat… sort of.

I come from a long ancestral line of Northern Europeans… my body is not exactly designed for heat and sun. (Don’t even get me started on my lack of ability to tan!) And one unfortunate consequence of my body’s inability to deal well with heat is my legs and feet swell up.

In these circumstances, doing gentle joint release work to release stuck and stagnant energy, putting my legs up the wall and allowing my body to rest and relax is VERY beneficial.

5 Benefits of Legs up the Wall

• Soothes tired legs and reduces inflammation: Elevating the legs above the heart level helps diminish inflammation, alleviate tension, and relieve muscle cramps or fatigue. It enhances blood circulation and regular practice of legs up the wall pose can even lower the risk of blood clots.
• Calms the nervous system: This posture induces deep relaxation in the nervous system by allowing the spine to fully rest, leading to a quiet mind. Legs up the wall pose can effectively alleviate anxiety, reduce tension, and restore the body's natural balance.
• Relieves back strain: Extended periods of standing, especially on hard surfaces, can strain the back muscles. By lying flat with the legs up, this pose promotes relaxation and tension relief in the muscles and spine.
• Relaxes the pelvic floor: Many people, including myself, tend to hold tension in the pelvic floor. It's not uncommon for those experiencing lower back pain, incontinence, or painful sex to have excessive tension in the pelvic floor. Legs up the wall pose is an effective way to relax the pelvic floor and release tension.
• Enhances sleep quality: Combining legs up the wall pose with gentle, controlled breathing can significantly aid in falling asleep, particularly when struggling to do so. With a more relaxed nervous system and a quieter mind, this posture facilitates a peaceful transition into a comfortable sleep.

If you have Glaucoma, excessive fluid retention (like congestive heart failure, kidney failure or liver failure) or unmanaged high blood pressure, I would not recommend this pose.

Click the link below for a free Legs up the Wall and Body Scan Meditation video [7 mins]

How often do you put your legs up the wall and what have you noticed? Hit reply and let me know!

Also! Today is the first day of Breathe, Stretch, Shake & Let It Go 30-Day Challenge! If you haven’t signed up yet, come join us! It’s not too late to join, and for challenges like these, more is always merrier!

There’s so much stagnant energy that we constantly hold onto that just continues to build and hold us back from reaching our full potential. Add to that how the summer heat keeps us from wanting to move and we just get stuck.

☀️ Send me a message in the comment form below to let me know you want to join!