Why yoga is good for the immune system
Stress is known to lower immunity and leave a person more prone to infection and disease. One of the ways in which yoga helps shore up the body’s immune system is by helping a person relax and lower stress in a natural way. Yoga can help lower stress hormones that compromise the immune system.
Another reason that makes yoga good for the immune system is the fact that yoga helps to improve overall respiratory health. Since correct breathing is a vital part of yoga, its regular practice helps enhance lung efficiency. This in turn ensures optimal intake of oxygen by the body so that the body’s organs receive the right amounts of oxygen to function properly.
Yoga improves joint health and tones the muscles. These factors help the body resist degenerative diseases and musculoskeletal problems for longer. Older people, who are more prone to these health issues can benefit greatly if they take a yoga class and may be able to retain mobility for longer.
Yoga poses that help to stimulate the immune system
Pranayam helps ease several respiratory problems. These breathing exercises help to keep the nasal passages free and unimpeded and could even boost lung function significantly to help shore up immunity.
The bridge pose or the Setubandhasan is thought to be beneficial because of the way it increases the body’s energy levels and enhances blood circulation to offer better resistance to pathogens that try to attack the body.
Halasana or the plough pose improves blood circulation to some of the vital organs of the body and is also thought to stimulate the release of white blood cells, which are the soldiers of the immune system in the battle against infections.
Dhanurasan or the bow pose puts pressure on and stimulates the body’s digestive system. Digestive health is linked closely to the immune system. So stimulating the digestive system and enhancing the metabolism have a positive bearing on the immune system.
Matsyasan or the fish pose also helps to enhance the body’s immunity. This yoga aasan is thought to increase the body’s ability to absorb vital nutrients and also helps to tone the body’s parathyroid gland. Both of these have a beneficial impact on immunity.
Bhujangasan or the cobra pose can also help the immune system because of the way it puts pressure on the digestive tract to help regulate the body’s metabolism and stimulate the digestive system. It also enhances kidney function and elevates the mood.
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