Yoga is

99% practice & 1% theory

Yoga is not just rolling out a mat, to twist, stretch, and breathe deeply, it’s more than that. It’s a way of life; Yoga is an ancient practice that stimulates the body and releases the constraints of the mind. It brings balance to the body, regulating the system and smoothing out any dysfunction with regular practice. 

It’s also a wonderful way to stave off regular illnesses and ailments.

Yoga can help the body fight infection.

At any given time of the day or year, our bodies are vulnerable to infection by activating a multitude of viruses and bacteria. Experiencing the delights of runny noses, tickly coughs, stomach infections, and nasty bouts of the flu, winter definitely seems to be the time when they let their presence be known. This is normally due to the reduced day light. Daylight being the go to source of Vitamin D, which gives a great boost to the immune system.

Did you know that Vitamin D is actually a hormone rather than a vitamin? In fact, the final product of Vitamin D conversion in the body is considered a hormone. We can obtain Vitamin D from some foods such as oily fish, egg yolks and whole milk, however 90% of the Vitamin D we get is made by our bodies. The body makes Vitamin D from direct sunlight (particularly UV-B radiation) in the skin and the synthesis process continues in the liver and kidneys, until producing the final active form of the hormone.

Vitamin D is actually a hormone rather than a vitamin

Several different types of cells in the body, including immune cells, contain the receptor for Vitamin D, which means they can respond to Vitamin D molecules, triggering different reactions in the body. No wonder Vitamin D can affect so many aspects of health including bone health, cardiovascular health, immunity, autoimmune disease, type I diabetes, and mental health.

So, as well as soaking up as much sun as we can in the winter months with crisp winter sun walks and SAD lamps, how else can we boost our immune system?

how can we boost our immune system?

Yoga!  A regular practice can really help the body in its maintenance and fight infection. When I say Yoga, I mean the lifestyle. Yoga is much more than the poses you see in magazines on social media. It involves practice daily, both on and off the mat. A combination of asana (poses), pranayama (breathwork), meditation, and a seasonal wholefood diet, will give a great foundation for the body to build its natural immunity. 

We will share with you why:

It Helps To Keep the Respiratory System strong.

Colds, coughs, and similar infections are caused by bacteria that badly damage the upper respiratory system. If your immune system is not strong enough bring back balance, the bacteria can penetrate into the lungs and lead to pneumonia or bronchitis. Yoga is indeed the main tool for maintaining the health of our respiratory system. What’s more? Regularly practice of pranayama (breathing exercises) and asanas (yoga postures) conditions the respiratory tract and boosts the effectiveness of the lungs.

It Reduces the Stress Levels Naturally

A person who’s under stress is more likely to catch a cold or a fever when viruses invade the nasal passage. Also, the stress and anxiety seem to worsen or lift the risk of infirmities such as depression, gastrointestinal problems, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer’s disease, and asthma. To put it otherwise, yoga helps lower stress hormones and calms the nervous system, which is associated with the immune system.

It keeps Muscles and Joints in A Great Working Order

Whatever is your age, the joint and muscular pain doesn’t seem to discriminate, although the chance of it increasing as you approach middle age and onwards increases. This is due to the natural depletion of collagen within the body. Women experience this much earlier than men, as well as a reduction in bone density. A weak bone structure, lack of physical activity, and deficiency of essential nutrients in the diet can aggravate the situation. Moreover, Yoga asana helps to lubricate the joints with synovial fluid, stabilises the muscles through strengthening exercises, strengthens the bones due to the impact of the muscles supporting the body is holding a posture with bodyweight,  which in turn help reduce the chance of osteopenia, arthritis, and general joint pain.

It Ensures the Optimal Functioning Of All Organs

Office jobs that require sitting for long hours and a sedentary lifestyle mean that our organs don’t get enough or adequate amount of blood flow, which in turn lead to blockages and build-up of toxins. Over time, this leads to breakdowns in the body system. If you continue Yoga on a regular basis, it can stimulate the lymphatic system, to remove the toxins from the body. In fact, there are various kinds of asana that ensure organs and glands receive fresh blood and are gently stimulated and massaged. The rise in the supply of oxygenated blood to organs ensures their optimal function. see the free yoga sequence below.

Yoga can bring many benefits to your immune system. Practice Yoga daily, even if it’s a few minutes of breath awareness or a little 5-minute sun salutation. Attempt yoga to stimulate and improve the functioning of your nervous system, digestive system, circulatory and endocrine systems. Attend a regular practice, and remember to incorporate it into your daily routine. It is such a wonderful gift!