Yoga exercise is good for flexibility, strength and relaxation, and it may also help alleviate your flu symptoms by boosting your immune system. Yoga has the potential for preventing illness as well. When you are feeling stressed, your immune system may suffer, leaving you more susceptible to colds and flu. Yoga's relaxation benefits reduce your stress level and support your immunity.
Identification
Traditional yoga began as a religion. Each pose in yoga correlates to a specific Hindu deity. Currently, Western Hemisphere yoga is not practiced as a religion, but is done in health clubs and in private practice, mainly for health and wellness benefits. You may also find yoga useful for relaxation, stress reduction and a general increase in your personal mind and body awareness.
Immune System
When you are exposed to germs, your immune system is what prevents you from getting sick. A weakened immune system leaves you increasingly vulnerable to cold and flu viruses. Yoga inversion poses, where your head is lower than your feet, help move lymph fluid and immune cells throughout your body. One example of an inversion is to lie on your back with your legs up a wall. Chest opening poses stimulate your thymus gland, one of your main immunity organs. Perform a chest opener by lying face down, bending your knees and grasping your ankles with your hands as you lift your chest off the floor.
Yogic Diet
Yoga Basics suggests that your body also needs proper nutrition to support your immune system. A yogic diet consists of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and beans. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants which enhance your immune levels. Also, a yoga diet is low in sugar and fat which may suppress your immunity.
Meditation
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin tested subject's immune system response to meditation. The results were reported in Psychosomatic Medicine in 2002. Researchers found that after eight weeks of 3-hour weekly classes and daily hour-long meditations, subjects' immune response increased compared with those who did not perform the meditations. Subjects' immune systems were tested in response to the flu vaccine. A successful yoga practice includes meditation, even if you do not have an hour each day for practice, 10 minutes in addition to yoga poses will support your immunity.
Yoga Poses
During times of illness, Yoga Journal suggests wrapping your head in an ace bandage prior to beginning the yoga poses. The premise with head wrapping is to support your congested sinuses. A widespread forward bend pose will help to create space in your spine and facilitate your breathing. This hip opener also stimulates the spleen and the lymph nodes in your groin to strengthen your immune system. Perform this exercise by sitting on the edge of a folded blanket, and separating your legs to a comfortable distance. You can lean forward and rest your hands on the floor, or your forearms onto the seat of a chair. In this pose, you can close your eyes, relax and breathe for two to three minutes.
