Yoga for a Stronger Immune System
The immune system defends your body against infection and illness. It recognizes the cells of your body and will try to destroy anything unfamiliar such as bacteria’s, viruses and parasites.
A healthy diet, regular exercise, enough sleep and maintaining healthy stress levels are all vital to help the immune system function well.
Anything that encourages good general health will help to maintain a healthy immune system, yoga will do just this. Amongst many things a regular yoga practice will help lower stress hormones, encourage physical and emotional relaxation, remove toxins, enhance digestion, improve circulation and leave you feeling well balanced and full of vitality.
Stress hormones weaken the immune system.
When the body and mind relax, the nervous system is also able to relax so that the immune system can work more efficiently.
Removing toxins gives your immune system an extra boost.
By improving circulation, the cells and substances of the immune system are able to move through the body freely.
When you feel alive and full of vitality the whole body usually functions well including the immune system.
Make sure that your yoga practice is well-balanced and remember to include postures that open the chest. These postures help to stimulate the thymus gland which plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of the immune system.
Make time for Restorative Yoga, Restorative Yoga is completely nurturing and helps to re balance your entire being.
Pranayamas help to keep the respiratory tract clear; they also improve circulation and relax both body and mind. If you do not have the time or space to roll out your yoga mat, find a quiet corner and perform a few simple pranayamas to boost your immune system.
Try the following…
Breath for Life
Perform this technique first thing in the morning, as well as clearing the respiratory tract it will also enhances the functioning of the lymphatic system.
Breath for Life (Part 1)
Begin sitting in Sukhasana (the easy pose) with the ankles crossed and a straight spine. Bend your elbows and position them against your lower ribs. Lightly clench the fists and turn the palms up. Inhale and reach the right arm forward in front of your sternum, open your hand and turn the palm down, the exhalation is performed with a short sharp contraction of the diaphragm as you do this return to your starting position. Repeat on the other side. Continue this technique start slowly and gradually get quicker and quicker. Continue this technique for approximately two minutes.
Breath for life (Part 2)
From Sukhasana lift the arms out level with the shoulders. Breathe in and lift the right arm whilst lowering the left arm. Make sure that the arms move in one piece. As you exhale lift the left arm and lower the right. Again start slowly and gradually speed up. Continue this technique for approximately two minutes.
Rest in Sukhasana with the eyes lightly closed breathing slowly in and out through the nose.
This blog article was written by Sue Fuller creator of the Yoga 2 Hear range of audio yoga classes and yoga teacher training courses.
