Yoga Poses For Cold & Flu

It’s that time of year again – Cold & Flu season. When you’re feeling crummy, getting your body moving is the furthest from your mind, but believe it or not, it might help. Now I am not recommending a major sweat sesh at the gym, but rather a few simple yoga poses that will help alleviate some aches and pains associated with your sickness as well as boost your immune system. You can do these poses individually or connect them in a sequence like I have done here.

So you may be skeptical, but here’s the science behind it. Yoga helps when you are sick because it helps balance your sympathetic (response) and parasympathetic (rest) systems. In addition, your immune systems need white blood cells to fight viruses, and their typical spot to hangout is in the thymus, which is located in the chest. With the help of yoga asanas (asanas = poses) especially inversions, you can draw these white blood cells to your head and throat, along with fresh blood, and this helps relieve congestion and the affected sinuses. Furthermore, while fighting infections your body releases the stress hormone cortisol. Research suggests that stress-relieving techniques, such as yoga and breathing exercises, may help boost immunity. During Dr. Richard Besser’s interview with CNN, he also added that gentle stretching may help relieve aches and pains related to colds and sinus infections. Boom. Scienced.

Now let’s get to it.

1.)   DOWNWARD-FACING DOG [ADHO MUKHA SVANASANA]

Now the biggest benefit here is that your heart is higher than your head. This reverse pull of gravity helps move the white blood cells, aids in the proper circulation of the lymph and the blood, as well as drains the sinus passages.

2.)   STANDING FORWARD FOLD [UTTANASANA]

This pose enhances blood circulation. It helps send new, fresh blood to your head, which works to clear out blockages and sinuses. This pose also invigorates your nervous system and relieves stress, anxiety, tension, and headaches. In addition, it also helps improve digestion and quiets the mind.

3.)   SEATED SPINAL TWIST AKA HALF LORD OF THE FISHES POSE [ARDHA MATSYENDRASANA]

Seated Spinal Twist helps detoxify the body as well as activates the secondary organs of the immune system. This pose also helps improve digestion.

4.)   BOUND ANGLE [BADDHA KONASANA]

Bound Angle, commonly known as butterfly in the non-yoga world, helps stimulate the heart and improves general circulation. It stimulates abdominal organs and kidneys, and also helps relieve mild depression, anxiety and fatigue.

5.)   BRIDGE [SETU BANDHASANA]

Bridge helps open the chest and sends fresh blood to your head to help open up your sinuses. This pose also stimulates the thymus glands, which is one the main organs of your immune system.

6.)   FISH [MATSYASANA]

You can do the full Fish pose or a modified version, which I have shown here. This pose opens your chest and throat, which helps improve your breathing and cure a common cold.

7.)   LEGS UP THE WALL [VIPARITA KARANI]

Legs-Up-The-Wall can be done like I show here, or actually against the wall. This pose is very similar to Waterfall, which provides the same benefits. This pose is great to counter respiratory ailments. It also helps alleviate headaches and backaches, calms the mind and helps circulate white blood cells.

8.)   CORPSE POSE [SAVANSANA]

Rest is an important part of recovery. Savasana is a pose of deep rest most commonly taken at the end of a practice. Rest energizes your body and helps it fight better against the cold-causing viruses.

BONUS MOVES THAT ARE ALSO BENEFICIAL:

• Seated forward Fold [Paschimotanasana]
  Soothes headache and anxiety, and reduces Fatigue.

• Headstand [Salamba Sirsasana]
  Headstand revitalizes your body and also helps you detox as the stagnant blood rushes from your toes and filters through your heart and moves further to drain your head. This asana also raises your immunity and helps you fight a cold.

• Plow [Halasana]
  This pose is very helpful for those suffering from sinusitis. It improves the blood circulation in the body and also sets up a clear pathway for detox. This eliminates the pathogens and increases immunity, therefore helping you get rid of your cold.

Decongesting essential oil mixture recipe:

8 Drops Eucalyptus

8 Drops Peppermint

7 Drops Tea Tree

5 Drops Lemon

Add to a carrier oil like coconut oil and massage around your sinuses and forehead with decent pressure.