Yoga for Immunity

Does anyone else feel like this winter is going on forever? Like most people, I have had a couple of colds over the last few months. Thankfully, I have been able to carry on through them without having to take to bed to recover and it's this that I thank my regular yoga practice for. I realise that practicing Yoga isn't going to stop me from getting poorly from time to time, but I like to think that I am poorly a lot less than if I didn't do Yoga. There is new research to suggest that Yoga can be a helpful way to boost your immune system and decrease inflammation in the body. When you add in all the extra health benefits that come with practicing yoga, it just seems like the obvious choice to me! Also, we are far more susceptible to catching viruses when we are stressed. By stretching and moving, we release stagnant energy within our cells, allowing it to remove harmful toxins in our bodies.

For my classes this week I have added in some poses to boost our immune systems at the same time as doing all the amazing things that yoga usually does, like, provide stress relief, increase flexibility, mobility and strength. I have detailed the poses below and included a brief outline of their benefits. I have added a photo of me doing Triangle Pose while out on a walk with my family and our dogs. Just so you know... it's my worst nightmare having my photo taken, i'm so bad at it, but for the sake of Yoga I will swallow my embarrassment and (quite literally) strike a pose! And this was definitely a first for me to do Yoga in my wellies - the dogs must think i'm mad.

1. Happy Baby - Amazing pose for the hips! We all hold emotional tension in our hips so practicing this pose is a great way to relax the mind and rid the body of toxins. It also stimulates the kidneys and the digestive tract.

2. Standing Backbend - Backbends are very good at detoxifying the adrenal glands which can suffer due to stress. In flu season, practicing a standing backbend will strengthen the lungs and open the nasal passage to make breathing easier.

3. Triangle Pose - I love this pose, it's often in my class plan somewhere. As well as strengthening the legs, this pose helps to open the hips and shoulders, releasing tension where we often hold onto it. Triangle flexes the fascia around the lungs, helping us to breathe easier.

4. Eagle Pose - This balance helps to stimulate blood flow throughout the body by compressing the body's pressure points which give the body a surge of immunity-boosting fluid. The compression in the arms and legs helps to boost circulation and release toxins.