The best way to live a healthy life is to lead a lifestyle that improves and upholds your immunity. Constant changes in weather conditions, exposure to pollution, together with lack of exercise and emotional stress, can cause an imbalance in the immune system making the human body easily prone to diseases, most commonly the seasonal flu and the cold. These can be balanced out by incorporating certain yoga practices into a daily lifestyle. Yoga keeps, not just the physical body, but also the mental self in top state.
There are 84 classical Asanas (postures) in yoga, each having its own number of variations. Following a few simple ones on a daily basis helps enough to strengthen immunity. Here are a few :
Sukhasana and Pranayama (Sitting and Breathing)
Sukhasana is the simple cross-legged sitting asana. This along with the controlled and rhythmic breathing technic, Pranayama, is a great way to relax and calm body and mind at the same time. Take deep breaths, hold and release as per lung capacity. Do 10 breaths this way for a fresh start. The pranayama is a constant in yoga and is synchronized with the movements between different asanas.
Uttanasana (Forward Fold)
Stand with your feet hips distance apart. Bend forward, stretching your hands. Let your hands hang down, touch the floor or fold it behind your calves as per your comfort. Stay for up to 5 to 10 breaths and relax. This inverted posture helps in the circulation of blood flow and is a good stretch to the body and tissues.
Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Salute)
Stand up on the heels and keep legs hips distance apart. Cross your fingers and stretch upwards. Take deep breaths and after 3 to 5 breaths, lower your heels and arms. This pose is a variation of the Surya Namaskar and helps relieve stress, anxiety. It is also therapeutic for asthma and lung congestions.
Matyasana (Fish Pose)
Lie on the back and keep hands behind the hip. Breathing in, lift the head and chest up. With the chest lifted, slowly tilt the head back so that the floor touches the top of the head. Stay in the pose for 1 to 5 minutes. This pose and its different variations boosts up the energy level instantly and is a great one to strengthen immunity.
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
Lie down on the chest, hold both the feet with the hands stretched backward and pull feet towards the head to form an arc or a bow. Face forward and maintain the posture for a few seconds. Don’t forget to breathe and exhale while releasing the posture. Repeat the pose once or twice. This asana helps improve posture, stimulate the abdomen, back and neck organs and improves blood circulation to the spinal nerves.
Giving yourself a good stretch and maintaining a stress-free state of mind means better immunity. In trying times of deadly viruses spreading around the world, it is important to fight away harmful toxins. Therefore, to keep aside a few minutes of every day to try out a few of these poses can bring great changes in health. Yoga takes you one step closer to better living!
