Can yoga prevent you from contracting the H1N1 virus? With the newspapers and internet flooding with the rising cases of swine flu everyday, it is time that we take proper measures to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. Apart from following the general guidelines such as wearing a mask and maintaining proper hygiene, it is vital that you build a strong immunity to prevent the flu.
Can yoga prevent you from contracting the H1N1 virus?
It is important to remember that the virus does not cause the disease immediately, but enters our body and slowly breeds using our weak defenses (rendered weak by accumulation of toxins) and then rapidly multiplies in the body. Yogic postures and deep breathing techniques can help remove the toxins from the body and bolster our immune system, so that even if you get infected by the virus, yoga can fight it off easily. Yoga helps lower stress hormones that can weaken the immune system while conditioning the lungs and the respiratory tract, stimulating the lymphatic system to release toxins from the body. The asanas also help provide fresh, pure oxygenated blood to various systems of the body so that they can function optimally. Practising some of these asanas daily will help boost your immune system.
Standing chakrasana or wheel pose
This asana effectively stimulates the thyroid and pituitary glands thereby, improving your overall health. It also helps to massage the organs of the digestive system, helping them to function better.
Steps to do the pose:
- Stand erect with your feet apart and parallel. Interlock your hands in the front.
- Inhaling, raise your hands up and bend backwards.
- Exhaling, bend forward and swing your arms behind. Interlock your fingers at the back and pull towards your head.
- Inhaling, return to the starting position.
Balasana or child’s pose
This pose is very effective in boosting your immunity. It tones the abdominal organs stimulating the digestion and elimination. This asana allows you to relax and stretch put your arms, lower back and spine.
Steps to do the pose:
- Start with your knees on the floor; now rest your buttocks on your feet. Make sure your back is straight and your hands are resting on your knees.
- Now exhale, and while using your hands as support, slide down and forwards into the child’s pose. Once here, breathe in and out slowly.
- The goal is to have your forehead touch the ground, but if you can’t do not push yourself. Hold this pose for as long as you are comfortable.
- Now to come out of this pose, inhale and use your hands to push up your upper body. Rise slowly and try not to put too much pressure on your back.
Pavanmukasana or wind relieving pose
This abdominal compression asana will boost your immunity and also strengthen your liver. Additionally, it will also improve the blood flu to all the vital organs of the body and help them function properly.
Steps to do the pose:
- Lie down on your back
- Inhaling, raise your left knee and wrap your hands around it as tight as possible
- Exhaling, lift your head up and if possible touch your head to your knee
- Repeat the same with your right knee
- If comfortable, you can practice the techniques by wrapping your hands around both your legs at once
Nadi sodhan pranayama or alternate nostril breathing
This pranayama has therapeutic benefits for both circulatory and respiratory systems. Additionally, this breathing technique purifies your blood of toxins and supplies adequate amount of oxygen to every cell of your body. The breathing with alternate nostrils also helps maintain your body temperature.
Steps to do the pose:
- Sit comfortably with your spine erect and shoulders relaxed.
- Place your left hand on your left knee and your palms open to the sky.
- Now place the tip of your index finger and middle finger of your right hand in between your eyebrows. Place your ring finger and middle finger on left nostril and your thumb on the right nostril. You are to use the ring finger and the little finger to open and close the left nostril and thumb for the right nostril.
- Press your thumb gently on the right nostril and breathe out through the left nostril.
- Now inhale from the left nostril and press the left nostril gently with your ring and little finger. Removing the right thumb from the right nostril, exhale through the right.
- Again breathe in from the right nostril and exhale from the left to complete one round of nadi shodhan pranayama. Continue breathing in and breathing out from alternate nostrils.
- Complete 9 rounds of alternatively breathing through the nostrils. Make sure you keep your eyes closed while you do the pranayama. You can perform the pranayama 2-3 times a day.
Apart from building your immunity, yoga emphasizes the maintenance of hygiene in all possible ways. One of the first steps to staying healthy is to eat clean and hygienically cooked food in order to avoid contracting infections. Washing your hands regularly, especially after you have touched things like money, coins or common utility items or public vehicles, can prevent you from the infection.