Yoga Therapy for Colds and Flu
While we all are bound to suffer from the occasional cold or flu, the
practicing yogi/yogini is less likely to come down with the sniffles,
and when he/she does, tends to have a much faster recovery rate. This
is true because of yoga’s known abilities to regulate the immune
system, keeping it strong and healthy to withstand infections, and
yoga’s ability to boost immune function with specific yogic practices.
Yoga’s stress reducing abilities is one of the primary reasons a
regular practice of yoga helps prevent and cure the common cold. Stress
is known as a major contributing factor to catching a cold or flu, as
stress hormones cause the thymus to shrink in size, causing it to
poorly function as a producer of immune cells. Besides the general
calming effects of most yoga poses, restorative poses and forward bends
are especially calming to the nervous system, helping to reduce
whole-body stress. The following poses are known to be especially
calming to the body and mind: child, shavasana, supine bound angle
pose, seated forward bend, and seated head to knee.
Any type of physical activity will give a boost to the immune system,
and yoga, with its inherent stress reducing and immune enhancing
properties, will both provide a short-term boost and a long-term
strengthening of the immune system. In addition to a general yoga
practice, specific yoga postures can be used to target specific organs
of the immune system to further enhance yoga’s immune boosting
abilities.
Chest opening upper back bends will activate the primary organ of the
immune system, the thymus gland, located in the center of the chest.
The most beneficial postures for this purpose are Cobra, Pigeon, Fish,
Boat, Bow and Bridge. Since the thymus gland is located at the fourth
chakra center, chanting “yum,” this chakra’s bija mantra, while
performing these poses can further activate the thymus gland .
Inversions increase the passive circulation of the lymphatic system,
which is responsible for the production and circulation of the immune
cells to defend the body from the viruses and bacteria. Inversions such
as shoulderstand, headstand, plow and legs up the wall pose, will all
help improve the flow of lymph and immune cells through the body.
Twists and hip openers activate secondary organs of the immune system:
the spleen and the lymph nodes in groin and armpits. These organs are
the production sites for the immune cells, so using yoga poses to
target these organs during a cold or flu would be especially
beneficial. Use twists such as seated twist, prayer twist, and knee
down twist, and hip openers such as bound angle, seated angle, and
pigeon to activate these organs to keep them healthy and strong.
Lion pose is a specific yoga posture that activates the immune glands
of the tonsils and the lymph nodes in the neck. Performing lion pose
at the very beginning of a sore throat can dramatically stop and
prevent the sore throat from progressing. Another specific yogic
technique that helps prevent and cure colds, especially sinus related
infections, is Jala Neti (nasal irrigation). Jala Neti is the use of a
Neti pot to pour water through the nasal passages, flushing out the
bacteria or germs that can cause infection.
Many practicing yogis/yoginis follow a yogic diet, which can also help
to prevent and cure the common cold. A yogic diet’s emphasis on whole
grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes naturally provides the body
with the proper nutrition and the abundance of antioxidants that the
immune system needs to function optimally. A yogic diet is also
naturally free or low of sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and fat—all of which
are known to suppress various immune functions.
These various practices and poses of yoga are an excellent way to keep
the immune system healthy and strong to prevent and quickly recover
from the common cold or flu. If you do come down with a cold or flu,
it is important to rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat simple wholesome
foods and to practice some gentle yoga poses. If after three to four
days there is no change in your symptoms, or a worsening of symptoms
occurs, please seek medical attention from a qualified health care
practitioner.
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