Yoga Therapy for Flu and Colds – AYM Yoga Teachers Training

by

aymindia

While we all are a limit to suffering from the occasional flu or cold, the practicing yogini/yogi is less likely to come down with the sniffles, and when she/he does, tends to have a much faster recovery rate. This is precise because of yogas known abilities to govern the immune system, keeping it strong and healthy to withstand infections, and yogas ability to increase immune function with particular yogic practices.

Yogas stress reducing capabilities is one of the primary reasons a constant practice of yoga helps prevent and cure a common cold. Stress is known as a general contributing factor to catching a flu or cold, as stress hormones cause the thymus to shrink in size, causing it to morbid function as a producer of immune cells. Except the general calming effects of most yoga poses, restorative poses, and forward bends are particularly calming to the nervous system, helping to decrease whole-body stress. The under mentioned poses are known to be especially calming to the mind and body: Shavasana, supine bound angle pose, Child Pose, seated head to knee and seated forward bend.

Any physical activity will give a boost to the immune system, and yoga, with its vested stress reducing and immune enhancing properties, will both provide a temporary boost and a continued strengthening of the immune system. In addition to a general yoga practice, specific yoga postures can be applied to target specific organs of the immune system to enhance yoga’s immune boosting abilities further.

Chest opening upper back bends will effectual the main body of the immune system, the thymus gland, located in the center of the bosom. The most profitable postures for this purpose are Pigeon, Fish, Cobra, Bow, Boat, and Bridge. Since the thymus gland is located at the 4th chakra center, chanting yum, this chakras bija mantra, while performing these poses can further induce the thymus gland.

Inversions rise the passive circulation of the lymphatic system, which is liable for the movement and production of the immune cells to preserve the body from the viruses and bacteria. Inversions such as shoulder stand, headstand, legs and plow up the wall pose, will all help improve the flow of lymph and immune cells through the body. Twists and hip openers activate secondary genre of the immune system: the spleen and the lymph nodes in groin and armpits. These organs are the manufacturer sites for the immune cells, so using yoga poses to target these organs during flu or cold would be especially beneficial. Use twists such as seated twist, prayer twist, and knee down twist, and hip openers such as seated angle, pigeon, and bound angle to activate these organs to keep them healthy and active.

Lion pose is a particular yoga posture that activates the immune glands of the tonsils and the lymph nodes in the neck. Performing lion pose at the very outset of a sore throat can dramatically stop and prevent a sore throat from progressing. Another particular yogic technique that helps prevent and cure colds, especially sinus related infections, is Jala Neti (nasal irrigation). Jala Neti is the exercise of a Neti pot to pour water through the nasal passages, flushing out the bacteria or germs that can cause infection.

Many practicing yoginis/yogis follow a yogic diet, which can also help to prevent and cure a common cold. A yogic diets accounts on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes naturally provide the body with the proper nutrition and the profusion of antioxidants that the immune system needs to function optimally. A yogic diet is also usually free or little of sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and fat all of which are known to suppress various immune functions.

These different poses and practices of yoga are an exquisite way to keep the immune system healthy and strong to prevent and quickly recover from the regular flu or cold. If you do come down with flu or cold, it is important to rest, drink plenty of fluids, and eat pure, nourishing foods and to practice some gentle yoga poses. After 3 to 4 days if there is no revulsion in your symptoms or a worsening of symptoms occurs, please seek medical attention from a qualified health care practitioner.

Website: https://www.indianyogaassociation.comEmail: aymindia@gmail.comAddress: Association for Yoga and Meditation Baba balaknath Temple road Rishikesh

Article Source:

eArticlesOnline.com}

Comments are closed.