Health Benefits of Yoga to Boost Immunity

Healthful Vitality | 07/29/2021 | By Lifestyle Contributor | Health Benefits of Yoga to Boost Immunity

Originated in India, Yoga is an ancient practice known to ignite a harmony between the mind and body. The word “Yoga” originated from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means “to unite” or “to integrate.” While modern yoga has gained popularity in western cultures since the 1970s, this 5000 year old discipline was first mentioned in the Rig Veda, a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. Yoga combines deep breathing, body movements, concentration and mindfulness to promote the union of the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga has countless benefits like better flexibility, stronger body, better sleep and stress relief. But did you also know that Yoga could boost your immunity? Fortunately, one does not have to be an expert to practice yoga. With just some simple asanas and breathing exercises, you too can reap the benefits of yoga and boost your immunity.

Branches of Yoga

Before you go ahead and begin your Yoga journey, it would not hurt to get down some of the basics. Yoga is divided into 6 branches with each of them representing a different focus and approach to life. These are the 6 different branches:

• Bhakti Yoga: Teaches how to channel your emotions positively and to cultivate tolerance and acceptance
• Hatha Yoga: This branch aims to prepare your body for the asanas to come by priming your mind and body
• Jnana Yoga: Known as the path of the scholar, this branch reaches you wisdom
• Karma Yoga: The path of service, this branch teaches you that your actions today will decide your future
• Raja Yoga: Meditation is the key focus of this branch as it teaches discipline to the eight limbs of yoga
• Tantra Yoga: The pathway of ritual, this branch teaches you to understand the significance of celebrations and rituals

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga has been popularized in western culture for its ability to help in weight loss and increase flexibility. However, there is much more to yoga than what meets the eyes. Researchers have found that regular practice of yoga increases mindfulness, the awareness of the present moment without judging oneself. Mindfulness can transcend into mundane tasks and chores like eating, cooking, reading a book, spending quality time with friends and family, relaxing, and working out among many more. Another benefit of Yoga is that it can help manage stress and reduce anxiety. A number of asanas can help release tension in different muscles in your body while also promoting the release of endorphins. Endorphin, also known as the “feel good” hormones, act as natural mood boosters and can alleviate the feeling of stress. And now, we will dig into how Yoga can boost your immunity!

Health Benefits of Yoga to Boost Immunity

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught each one of us a lot of lessons but it is safe to say that the most important one is taking care of our health and wellbeing. Our immune system not only protects us from harmful pathogens and toxins in the environment, it also fights against and eliminates viruses and bacteria that might have entered our body. While people have become more conscious of eating healthy meals, there has also been a surge in the consumption of multivitamins to boost immunity. Regularly practicing yoga can help boost your immunity by strengthening your lungs, reducing cholesterol and relieving pressure on various organs. Studies have also shown that those who practice yoga regularly, have a lower heart rate than those who do not practice Yoga. [1] Let us look at a few asanas that can help boost immunity.

Asanas for Immunity

Balasana or Child’s Pose

This asana is for everyone out there, even beginners! With just a few seconds of this asana, you will feel the tension in your lower back vanish, diminishing fatigue and an elevated mood. Yogis all around the world believe in this asana’s ability to improve immunity.

• Kneel on the ground and place your hands on your thighs. Make sure to align your toes and have your knees spread apart only a few inches
• Take a deep breath in and as you exhale, slowly move your torso forward with the help of your hands till your belly is on your thighs and your head touches the floor
• Stretch your hands as far as you can and as you inhale, come back to the initial position

Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose

This asana may take time to perfect but its benefits can be felt almost instantly. Not only does this pose strengthen your spine, it also strengthens your lungs and reduces the pressure on the immune system by improving digestion and liver function.

• Lay down flat on the ground with your hands stretched out. Make sure your legs are joined and your forehead is touching the ground
• Now bring your hands to the side and press your palms on the side of your chest. Ensure that your elbows are close to your body and not pointing away from it
• Take a deep breath in and as you do, lift the upper half of your body
• Exhale and remain in those pose for a few seconds before you slowly lay on the ground

Paschimottanasana or Seated Forward Bend

This asana can bring you a sense of calm and relieve you of your stress. While improving digestion, this asana can also help relieve nasal congestion and rid your body of respiratory struggles. Do not be discouraged if you don’t get this asana right in your first go, practice makes perfect

• Sit down on the ground and stretch out your legs while ensuring they are as close to the ground as possible
• Inhale deeply and raise your hands toward the ceiling while ensuring a straight spine
• As you exhale, bend forward with the help of your hands and try to touch your toes
• Make sure that your legs remain flat on the ground and that you knees do not bend
• Hold this pose for a few seconds and slowly  return to the starting position

In conclusion, the health benefits of yoga to boost immunity are immense. For example, yoga helps to boost the body’s immunity to curb cancer incidence. Additionally, practicing yoga can help beat stress. Indeed, the work from home increase seems to continue as several companies plan to work remotely and significantly cut down their office spaces. Following these ten tips to practice yoga would help to reduce stress if you are working remotely.

Reference:

Gopal, Aravind, et al. “Effect of integrated yoga practices on immune responses in examination stress – A preliminary study.” International Journal of Yoga, vol. 4, no. 1, 2011, pp. 26-32, Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3099098/