Yoga is more than just some bending and stretching and breathing exercises; it’s a 5,000-year-old body of knowledge from India. This is not just a trend; it’s a lifestyle. This age-old practise is not only a great way to strengthen the body and calm the mind, but also an excellent defence against common illnesses.
Our bodies are susceptible to infection from the wide variety of viruses and bacteria at any time of the day or year. They’re the root cause of all those miserable cold and flu symptoms you hear about. Yoga can aid in the body’s fight against illness and improve the immune system much farther than good hygiene and nutritious food alone. We’ll explain why:
It’s a natural way to lower tension with Yoga
When viruses enter the body through the nasal passages, a stressed individual is more vulnerable to a cold or fever. Conditions including melancholy, stomach issues, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and asthma all appear to be exacerbated or made more likely by stress.
The neurological system is connected to the immune system, and yoga helps reduce stress hormones and relax the nervous system.
It maintains proper functioning of the respiratory system.
Bacteria in the upper respiratory tract are the root of the common cold and similar diseases. Bacteria can cause bronchitis or pneumonia if the immune system isn’t powerful enough to stave them off. When it comes to taking care of our lungs, yoga is one of the most useful practises. Asanas and breathing exercises, when practised regularly, train the respiratory system and increase lung capacity and function.
All organs will perform at their highest levels.
Sedentary lifestyles and office work reduce blood flow to the organs, which can cause clogs and toxic buildup. This can cause systemic failures in the body over time. When practised regularly, yoga helps the lymphatic system flush out harmful substances.
The various asanas bring oxygenated blood to and massage and stimulate various glands and organs. A higher percentage of oxygenated blood reaching vital organs is associated with those organs functioning at their peak. This aids in the maintenance of healthy muscles and joints.
These days, it doesn’t seem to matter how old you are, muscle and joint discomfort are a universal experience. Fragile bones can be made worse by not getting enough activity or the right kinds of food.
By increasing synovial fluid in the joints and stabilising the muscles through strengthening exercises, yoga can significantly reduce or even eliminate the discomfort. You can improve the performance of your immune, nervous, digestive, circulatory, and endocrine systems with the use of the following yoga postures.
Boost your Immunity with this yoga routine
Get your blankets, bolster, block, and eye pillow ready before you start.
Supta Virasana
Cover the bolster with a folded blanket. The best place to use a bolster is between your heels, supporting your tailbone. Rest your head on the blanket as you recline on the bolster. Raise your arms and palms. Ten to fifteen breaths here would be ideal.
Prasarita Padottasana (Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend)
Lift yourself slowly to standing and place your feet about four feet apart. Straighten your arms and interlace your fingers behind your back. Extend your arms overhead and fold forward. Rest for five to ten deep breaths.
Parivrtta Prasarita Padottanasana (Revolved Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend)
Relax your grip on your fingers. Try resting your left hand on a block held at a level that’s just below your sternum. Tilt your body to the right. Pause for five to ten deep breaths. Put up effort on both ends.
Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
Begin to rise to your feet slowly. Spread your knees and your hips apart. Clasp your hands together and raise them upwards. Balance on the balls of your feet by raising your heels. As soon as you have taken 5 deep breaths, relax your feet and arms.
Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana III (Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose)
Balance your body weight on your left foot. Raise your right leg and weave your fingers under your thigh. Take hold of your right foot with your left hand. Turn to the right and reach out with the right arm. Get out of the twist and stand back up.
Virabhadrhasana III (Warrior III)
Spread your arms out and interlace your fingers behind your back. In this position, you should put your weight on your left foot, lean forward, and raise your right leg to hip level. Raise your knuckles to the ceiling and press. To do the other side, repeat steps 4-6.
Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
Keep your feet shoulder-width apart while standing. To do this, lean forward from the hips and put your hands on the ground. Move your weight around your feet evenly. Pull out from the base of your skull and all the way up to your sitting bones.
Plank Pose
Put your feet back into Plank Pose with a step or a jump. Spread your fingers wide and place your hands directly beneath your shoulders. Tighten your shin muscles and engage your core by drawing your belly button in toward your spine.
Vasisthasana (Side Plank Pose)
Drop your right shoulder and roll onto the outside side of your right foot to transfer your body weight. Position your left arm out to the side of your left ear. You should arch your left side and raise your left hip. Exhale into the left side of your rib cage. On the other side, do positions 8 and 9.
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)
Down Dog requires you to lift your hips off the floor and to press your heels into the ground. The best way to relax is to rest your head in between your arms. Form a hollow in your stomach after exhaling, and wait a moment, then take a deep breath in.
Eka Hasta Bhujasana (Elephant’s Trunk Pose)
Stretch your legs out in front of you while you sit. Put your right foot over your right arm and bend your right knee (as high as it will go). You should raise your hips off the ground while pressing your hands into the floor. Shut your eyes, close your jaw, and slow your breathing.
Marichyasana I
Keep your right knee bent. Your right foot should be planted on the mat between your left groyne and thigh. Turn to the left, tying the pose or bringing the fingertips of the right hand down to the floor so that they are in a straight line with the heart. Take deep, even breaths into the ribcage. Assume positions 12 and 13 on the opposite side.
Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (Revolved Head-of-the-Knee Pose)
Put the inside of your left thigh in contact with the sole of your right foot, then bend your right knee. Reach your right arm alongside your right ear as you bend to the left. Hold your left foot with both hands if you can. Put up effort on both ends.
Halasana (Plow Pose)
Stack two or three blankets up to your shoulders and relax. Lift your hips and legs till your heels hit the floor by activating your core and using momentum. Finger-interlace behind your back.
Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand)
Holding your hands behind your lower back, gradually roll down. Do not cover yourself any longer. Bring your hips up, and put a block beneath your sacrum at a comfortable height. Raise your thighs and equally apply upward pressure via your feet.
Savasana (Corpse Pose)
Back yourself up with a bolster and cover the top with a folded blanket. Rest your head on the blanket and relax. Try to keep the light out of your eyes. Rest your hands and elbows on the ground. Be gentle with your breathing.