Yoga Exercises For Severe Cold
Cold is one of the common ailments that affect people today. Some of the symptoms include sneezing, scratchy throat, headache and often mild fever. Instead of using drugs or medication, why not try an alternative therapy like yoga.
Yoga is a therapeutic form of exercise that aids the healing process. Yoga is holistic discipline that targets the body and mind. Its origins lie in ancient India more than 5,000 years ago. In Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, the word ‘yoga’ suggests ‘union’. Yoga aims to unite the mind and body so that both can work in sync with each other. Thus, Yoga is not only beneficial physically, but also helps to make you emotionally and spiritually stronger.
Yoga combines physical poses that are known as ‘Asanas’ with breathing exercises that are known as ‘Pranayama’. Both ‘Asanas’ and ‘Pranayama’ can be used against cold. An extremely effective yoga pose is ‘Viparita Karani’, where you stand lie down with your legs up against the wall. This posture opens up chest area to facilitate better breathing and increases circulation to your upper torso. It is also extremely effective against body aches associated with cold. Another pose, ‘Bidalasana’, or the cat pose, brings energy to the head, which helps relieve headaches. ‘Bhujangasana’, or the cobra pose, where you lie on your abdomen and curl your upper body improves your respiratory functions and clears the sinuses. Uttanasana, or forward extensions without bending your knees, promotes circulation of blood to your lungs and heart, thereby ensuring the supply of oxygen and nutrients.
‘Kapalabhati’ is one form of ‘Pranayama’ which involves breathing in rapid succession. This is highly useful in clearing mucus and releasing blockages in your chest. Ujjayi breathing is particularly useful, as it allows you to take in a full breath that first fills your belly, your rib cage, and then your lungs. This long breath helps you relax your nervous system.
Yoga is a powerful combination of body movements and meditation. Yoga therefore enables you to reach a state of harmony and healing, and has been proven to have therapeutic uses. Practicing the above ‘Asanas’ and ‘Pranayama’ regularly can help as a preventive measure against cold. They also help to ensure general all-round health and make the body more resistant to illness and disease. Yoga exercises should be combined with a proper diet for maximum benefits. It is best to learn these techniques under the guidance of a trained Yoga instructor.
