The world is yet to find a way to battle the rampaging Coronavirus. It takes time to develop a vaccine or remedy specific to a particular strain of the novel coronavirus and by that time the virus mutates. One must hope the virus simply fades away or that immunity stands up for you. Among all this Yoga is a great tool in our hands to help us build strong immunity and keep coronavirus at bay.
How Yoga helps in preventing Coronavirus?
Yoga improves immunity and triggers healing. Science is yet to conduct in-depth research and whatever research has been done is not quite conclusive enough. However, there is sufficient data to suggest that yoga, in some way, down-regulates pro-inflammatory markers according to a study by RI Falkenberg, C Eising and MLPeters. And hence yoga is great in preventing coronavirus.
Yoga has a positive impact on the brain and particularly the hormonal system. It also increases intake of oxygen, reduces oxidative stress and helps to flush out toxins. Yoga helps to reduce mucosal inflammation and enhances cell-mediated immunity-both of which are vital to resist coronavirus that mainly affects the respiratory system.
While yoga does benefit your body by giving improved flexibility, relaxation and strength, the higher impact is on the mind and brain that then control your physical self. Your powers of resistance increase and you can withstand infections without the use of medicines. This is exactly when you need Yoga for coronavirus.
Some prevention methods for Coronoavirus:
- The virus transmits through bodily fluids so the best way to stay safe is to wear a mask.
- It can stay active on surfaces up to 8 hours so wear gloves and use hand sanitizers frequently.
- Maintain distance from people and stay isolated as far as possible.
- Wash with soap everything you bring in since soap disrupts the external cover of the virus.
Some cure methods for Coronavirus:
- The body suffers from oxygen deprivation since the lung sacs fill with fluid so patients with advanced symptoms are put on a respirator.
- Drugs such as Hydro Chloroquine and Azithromycin are touted as remedies along with other antivirals like ritonavir, paracetamol and antibiotics to quell secondary infections.
- Saltwater gargling and steam inhalation may work.
- Do not wear the same mask unless you clean it thoroughly and boil it in water.
- Eat the right kinds of food comprising of vegetables and fruits. Avoid sugar and oily foods that increase phlegm in the body.
- Try to consume more spices and chillies.
Yoga for Coronavirus prevention
Start the day with Yogasana and Pranayam practice for a half-hour to an hour. Yoga and Pranayam improve immunity and lung capacity besides removing toxins. Yogasana to keep you protected against Corona Virus. Try these yoga poses to improve overall health and immunity to prevent coronavirus.
1) Simhasana (Lion Pose)
Steps:
- Kneel and Cross front of right ankle over back of the left ankle. Fold body so your buttocks touch the right heel.
- Place palms against the knees, fingers stretched out.
- Inhale through the nose, open your mouth wide, stick tongue out and down, contract muscles of the throat and exhale making a sound.
- Breathe through the mouth and exhale for 21 times.
- Put tongue back in the mouth and roll it so that it touches inside of the throat.
- Keep your eyes focused to any object you feel comfortable with.
2) Bandha (Body lock)
This is excellent to improve throat muscles, thyroid function and lung function. It increases pranic force and energy, raising immunity against corona.
Steps:
- Sit on the floor, one heel folded below the perineum. The other leg can be folded normally.
- Keep palms on knees, thumb and forefinger tips touching, the other fingers extended.
- Curl tongue inward towards the throat.
- Constrict throat and draw in a breath. Hold it.
- Fold-down head so that chin touches chest if possible.
- Contract your abdominal muscles pulling it inside.
- Hold the breath for a few seconds. Exhale very slowly.
- Repeat five times.
3)Sarvangasan (Shoulder stand)
This asan involves holding legs high up in the air and “sarvang” means it has an overall impact. Since you are upside down it helps in draining fluids from the lungs and improving immunity.
Steps:
- Lie down flat on the floor, hands by your side.
- Keep body and head in contact with the floor, raise your legs and try to bring them up above and over your head, curling the body as much as you can. Hold this pose for a minute.
- Now raise your legs straight up, raising your body.Support your body with your hands on either side of the hips.
- Breathe in a relaxed fashion. Keep eyes closed but focused.
- Hold the position for two minutes to start with.
- Bring your body down and then stay flat, hands on the sides of the body and legs spread a little apart. Hold for 2 minutes.
4) Sukhasana (The Easy pose)
While some asanas are difficult you will find sukhasana easy. The ideal pose is lotus position but you will find it difficult to interlace legs and put your heels on your lap. You can simply it by sitting cross-legged.
Steps:
- Palms on knees, facing up, thumb and index finger joined at the tips in an arc, other fingers straight out.
- Sit upright with your spine straight.
- Close your eyes and breathe
- Start with kapalbhati. Kapalbhati involves forcible expulsion of air but not conscious breathing in. Use your diaphragm muscle to force out air. Do this for 2 to 10 minutes.
- Next, raise the head up and breathe in and out very fast only through nostrils.
- Take some rest.
- Next, try anuloma-viloma, that is you breathe from one nostril and exhale from the other. keep breathing this way for 2 minutes.
- Next, sit still and calm and practise gentle, deep breathing. Imagine you are in space and the energy flows in through the top of your head and into your body when you breathe in.
5) Matsyasana (Fish pose)
Matsya is fish and this asana resembles the pose of a fish. It helps improve lung capacity.
Steps:
- Roll up a blanket and then.
- Lie down flat on the floor keeping the rolled blanket between your shoulders and hips.
- Your head should be thrown back and it should touch the floor, hands by your side, palms up and legs straight.
- Breathe in and out gently. If you take 2 seconds to breathe in, take 4 seconds to exhale.
- Practice for 2 minutes to start with. Extend time as you go along.
When there is no traditional remedy for Coronavirus you can try yoga asanas as it would definitely help you fight the virus effectively.
