We all look forward to monsoons after battling extreme heat and humidity. It surely does bring relief, but it also opens the door for a variety of seasonal infections and illnesses, including but not limited to cold, cough and viral fever. While these can affect anybody, people who have a stronger immune system remain comparatively less susceptible. One of the trusted and effective ways to boost immunity is doing yoga daily.
A lot of people believe yoga can only help with physical woes, which is not true. Doing yoga daily can have a positive impact on your immune system too, which helps in warding off the risk of potential monsoon infections.
According to celebrated Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev, Founder of Patanjali, yoga not only strengthens your physical body but also stabilizes your mind and improves internal bodily functions.
Yoga for Immunity
Here are 7 easy but effective yoga poses you can include in your daily routine to stay protected and energized during the monsoons.
Also Read: Expert Tells Yoga Asanas That Should Be Performed in the Rainy Season
1. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)
This is a balancing posture that helps in improving focus, building stamina and strengthening leg muscles. Besides, it also stabilises the nervous system, which keeps the immune system active and working. The best time to practice this yoga asana is early morning, so your body is all prepared for the day.
How to do it:
- Stand on one leg and place the other foot on the inner thigh.
- Now join your palms together above your head and stay in this position for 30 seconds.
- Repeat the same, switching the legs.
2. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
This pose is great for your lungs and improves breathing. Doing bhujangasana daily helps in stimulating digestion, which is crucial for keeping digestive problems and stomach-related problems that are highly prevalent during monsoons at bay. Follow these steps to do the cobra pose:
- Lie on your stomach and place your palms under your shoulders.
- Now, gently lift your chest upward while keeping the elbows bent.
Also Read: How Yoga Can Reclaim Your Health Naturally: A Research-Backed Perspective
3. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
Bridge pose is known to stimulate the lungs and abdominal organs. Doing this exercise daily improves blood circulation and keeps potential respiratory infections at bay. You must practice this yoga asana if you experience frequent nasal congestion or headaches during humid weather.
How to do it:
- Lie on your back, bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the ground.
- Now lift your hips while pressing your arms and shoulders into the ground.
4. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog)
This pose stretches and strengthens your complete body while also improving blood flow to the brain and sinuses. Doing adho mukha svanasana helps clear blocked nasal passages and boosts lung function.
How to do it:
- Place your hands on the ground to come onto your hands and knees.
- Lift your hips upward, forming an inverted V shape with your body.
5. Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
This yoga asana stimulates digestion and reduces bloating and indigestion that are very common during monsoons, as food and water contamination are at their peak during the rainy season. In addition to this, doing trikonasana also strengthens your legs and back muscles, which helps in boosting energy levels.
How to do it:
- Stand straight with your legs apart and stretch your arms out.
- Now, bend sideways to touch your ankle with one hand, and raise the other hand upward.
- Repeat the same with the other side.
6. Kapalabhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath)
This is a pranayama or a breathing technique that is vital for cleansing the respiratory tract and sinuses. Doing this asana helps in eliminating toxins, boosting lung capacity, and enhancing immunity.
How to do it:
- Sit in a comfortable position and take short but deep, forceful exhalations through the nose while keeping inhalation passive.
Note: Do not practice this if you are hypertensive or pregnant.
7. Shavasana (Corpse Pose)
This relaxing asana is the best way to end a nice yoga session. This pose helps the body absorb the benefits of the previously done asanas. Besides, shavasana reduces stress and balances hormones to help you feel sound and stress-free.
How to do it:
- Lie flat on your back, arms relaxed by your sides, and focus on natural breathing.
This monsoon, try this refreshing and rejuvenating yoga session to keep your mind and body healthy and disease-free.