15 Yoga Asanas that Can Boost Immunity and Improve Your Breathing
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Yoga Asanas for Immunity
Maintaining a strong immune system is essential for overall health and well-being. A robust immune system helps protect the body from infections and diseases. While there are various ways to boost immunity, practicing yoga can be a powerful tool. Yoga not only strengthens the body but also calms the mind, reduces stress, and promotes overall wellness. Certain yoga asanas (poses) can specifically target the immune system, helping to enhance its function. Let’s explore 15 yoga asanas that can boost immunity and improve your breathing.
15 Yoga Asanas that Can Boost Immunity and Improve Your Breathing
1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
Stand tall with your feet together, grounding through all four corners of your feet. Lengthen your spine, relax your shoulders, and breathe deeply. This foundational pose improves posture, enhances lung capacity, and promotes overall well-being.
2. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose):
Lie on your stomach, place your palms under your shoulders, and lift your chest off the ground. Keep your elbows slightly bent and gaze forward. Cobra pose opens up the chest, strengthens the back, and stimulates the immune system.
3. Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)
Lie on your stomach, bend your knees, and reach back to hold your ankles. Lift your chest and legs off the ground, creating a bow-like shape. This pose opens the chest, strengthens the back muscles, and improves digestion, thus supporting the immune system.
4. Matsyasana (Fish Pose)
Lie on your back, place your hands under your hips, and lift your chest toward the ceiling, arching your upper back. Fish pose stretches the chest and throat, stimulates the thymus gland (an important part of the immune system), and improves breathing.
5. Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)
Lie on your back, lift your legs and hips off the ground, supporting your lower back with your hands. Shoulder stand improves blood circulation, stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and boosts the immune system.
6. Halasana (Plow Pose)
From the shoulder stand position, lower your legs behind your head, touching your toes to the ground. Plow pose stimulates the thyroid gland, improves digestion, and enhances overall immunity.
7. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Lift your hips off the ground, interlace your fingers beneath your lower back, and press your shoulders into the mat. Bridge pose opens the chest, strengthens the back, and stimulates the immune system.
8. Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
Kneel on the mat, tuck your toes, and slowly lean back, placing your hands on your heels. Arch your back and lift your chest, gazing upward. Camel pose stretches the chest, opens the heart, and supports the respiratory system, improving breathing and immune function.
9. Anjaneyasana (Low Lunge)
Step one foot forward into a lunge position, keeping your back knee on the ground. Raise your arms overhead and lengthen your spine. Low lunge stretches the chest, strengthens the legs, and improves lung capacity.
10. Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
Stand with your feet wide apart, turn one foot out, and bend your front knee while keeping your back leg straight. Extend your arms out to the sides, gaze over your front hand, and sink into the pose. Warrior II builds strength, opens the chest, and improves respiratory function.
11. Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
Stand with your feet wide apart, turn one foot out, and reach toward the extended leg while keeping your other arm raised. Triangle pose stretches the chest, opens the lungs, and improves breathing capacity.
12. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog)
Start on your hands and knees, tuck your toes, and lift your hips up and back. Create an inverted V shape with your body. Downward dog pose stretches the entire body, strengthens the arms and legs, and increases circulation, thereby boosting the immune system.
13. Balasana (Child’s Pose)
Kneel on the mat, sit back on your heels, and fold your torso forward, resting your forehead on the ground. Child’s pose promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and supports overall immune function.
14. Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)
Various pranayama techniques, such as deep belly breathing, Kapalabhati (skull-shining breath), and alternate nostril breathing, can enhance lung capacity, oxygenate the body, and calm the mind, thereby boosting immunity.
15. Savasana (Corpse Pose)
Lie flat on your back, close your eyes, and relax your entire body. Savasana allows the body and mind to integrate the benefits of the practice, promoting deep relaxation and supporting the immune system.
The Bottom Line
Incorporating these yoga asanas into your routine can help boost your immune system, improve your breathing, and promote overall well-being. Remember to practice with mindfulness, listen to your body, and consult with a qualified yoga instructor if needed. Alongside yoga, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and follow medical advice for optimal immune function.
Start incorporating these 15 yoga asanas into your daily routine and experience the transformative benefits they offer. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, these poses can be adapted to suit your level of flexibility and comfort.
In addition to your yoga practice, make sure to prioritize a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and listen to your body’s needs. Remember to consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise or yoga routine, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions. Do visit our website to gather more information.
I am a Pune based artist, Kathak dancer, Dance Movement Therapist, and an avid Yoga practitioner/ teacher. I am also the Director at the Sakal Media Group, a Trustee of Pune Blind School and Nirdhar Trust.
Being a part of Sakal Media Group, with its strong foundation of service and ethical journalism, I am deeply committed in making this world a better place by pushing boundaries, giving opportunities to others, following my convictions, helping others make better choices and to tell powerful stories that will help reshape the world we live in.