How Yoga can help fight cold and flu due to weather change

The human body can naturally adjust to any kind of circumstance. This is one blessing that we have been endowed with by nature. However, many times, weather changes can affect us and cause minor seaso

By: Smt Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra | | Updated: March 10, 2015 6:54 pm

The human body can naturally adjust to any kind of circumstance. This is one blessing that we have been endowed with by nature. However, many times, weather changes can affect us and cause minor seasonal disorders like cold & flu, allergies, among others. To prevent such illnesses we must condition our body to adapt to changes in weather. Also Read - Akshay Kumar, Piyush Mishra, Sonam Kapoor and more Bollywood celebs who opened up on facing sexual abuse in childhood

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When you get back home from a sunny afternoon, don’t put the AC on immediately. Allow the body to come to normal temperature, your body will slowly get accustomed to this. Extreme and immediate fluctuations in temperature can strain on your immune system.
Avoid consumption of chilled beverages, consume drinks that are at room temperature instead.
Tapa should be done to tolerate heat and strengthen your body.
Don’t rub your skin too harshly to wipe out sweat. Sweating is a natural process through which the body cools itself down.
Eat four meals a day, small portions and equally spaced-out. Between your meals, take healthy fluids like lemon juice or fruit juice at room temperature.
Get adequate rest and sleep. Conscious relaxation can also help.
Every two hours, sit in sukhasana and observe your breath or listen to the sound around you passively (Yogendra Nishpanda Bhava)

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Yogendra Laya – The deep absorption technique:

Sit in a meditative pose and closes your eyes
Observe your breath
Concentrate on every inhalation and exhalation. Ignore everything else around you, focus only on your breathing
Relax in the pose for ten minutes

Dradhasana – The firm pose:

Lie down on your back and turn to your left side
Fold your left arm and cushion your head on it
Align your body in one straight line and keep your legs one on top of the other
Rest your right arm on your body
Close your eyes and relax in this pose for 5 minutes

Makarasana – The crocodile pose:

Lie down on your stomach
Keep a little distance between your legs and relax your feet by keeping your toes together and heels apart
Fold your arms and rest your head on the back of your palms
Relax in the asana for 3-5 minutes

Rechaka – The emptying technique:

Sit in sukhasana, the happy pose, and inhale deeply
Exhale out completely and hold your breath for a few seconds
Inhale deeply again
Repeat the process 5-10 times

Shitali Pranayama – The cooling technique:

Sit in a meditative pose like padmasana, the lotus pose
Inhale deeply through your nose
Exhale through your mouth
Repeat the process 5-10 times

Bhramari – The bee technique:

Sit in a meditative posture
Inhale deeply through your nose
While exhaling. start humming like a bee
Repeat 5-10 times

Yastikasana – The stick pose:

Lie down on your back
While inhaling, raise your hands and stretch as much as possible
Simultaneously, stretch legs fully, toes pointing down and continue breathing
Hold the pose for 10 seconds and relax

Suptabhadrasana – The lying down butterfly pose:

Sit in sukhasana
Stretch out both legs in front of you
Bend your legs at the knee and bring your feet towards your body. The knees should be pointed outwards
Join the soles of your feet with the toes and heels close together
Now maintaining this posture, lie down backwards
Keep your hands by your side
Stay in this asana for as long as you are comfortable

Jalneti – The nasal cleansing technique:

Take one litre lukewarm water
Add two teaspoons of salt (9 g per litre and stir properly)
Suck in the water through one nostril and let it flow out from the other
After practicing the technique for one nostril, repeat the process for the other
Do not lie down for at least half an hour after jalneti

Yogendra Nishpanda Bhav – The no movement pose:

Lean against a wall, touching your head to the wall and sit in a relaxed manner with your legs stretched in front of you
Keep a distance of 2-3 feet between your legs
Place your hands gently on your upper thighs with palms facing upwards
Listen to the sound of any vehicle passing by at a distance
Sit in this posture for 5 mins and focus on any distant sound

Trataka – The gazing technique:

Sit in sukhasana
Keep your back erect
Hold your thumb roughly 12 inches away from your face. Keep your left hand on you lap
Fix your eyes on your thumb
Slowly, move your thumb towards the other shoulder
Without moving your head, let your eyes follow the movement
Hold the gaze for a few seconds without blinking
Gazing at your thumb, bring it back to the starting position
Repeat the practice for the other side
You can practice up to 10 rounds

Yogendra Pranayama 4:

Lie down on your back
Bend your feet at your knees. Keep your feet together, comfortably close to your body
Gently place your hand on your navel
Now observe your breath
Make your abdomen rise up as you inhale for 3 seconds and make it fall as you exhale for 3 seconds
Ensure there is no movement of the chest

Savasana – The corpse pose:

Lie down on your back with your feet comfortably apart
Keep your arms by your side with palms facing up
Close your eyes and relax
Feel the touch of air on your body, let the mind remain thoughtless
Stay in the asana for 10 minutes

Photo source: Getty images

Published : November 27, 2014 3:34 pm | Updated:March 10, 2015 6:54 pm

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