Fighting Corona according to Yoga – Understanding Asanas in Relation to Immune Defence
The coronavirus has been a true roller coaster for many. As the growth rate continues to increase, many of us feel scared and insecure about what the future will bring. Yoga is one of the solutions for fighting corona. Especially self-employed companies, artists, and small businesses struggle to maintain themselves. Not only do existence, job, and future fears come up more than ever now, also the fear and worries about catching the virus yourself. If you are struggling to stay grounded and want to find a way to reduce your risk of an infection, this article will help you to understand the necessary yogic practice to keep calm and improve your immune system.
The immune system is our primary defense system that fights any pathogen, bacteria, or virus entering the body. The immune system is linked to the brain which coordinates where and which immune cells engulf invading objects. If your immune system is weak, your immune defense may struggle to destroy and fight pathogens and you may easily get sick or infected.
Boosting the immune system is a primary goal during this time. A strong immune system helps you to stay healthy and become less prone to catching the coronavirus. A strong and healthy immune system also promotes general mental concentration, balance, and physical relaxation.
Not everyone who is in contact with corona patients gets the coronavirus. If you work on improving your body’s defense mechanisms through well-selected asanas and diet, you can avoid getting sick.
During the current global epidemic, we would like to share an asana with you which helps you to boost your immune system and hence fight corona.
Garudasana – The Immune System Booster
Garudasana comes from Sanskrit and stands for Eagle Pose and can be very helpful in fighting corona. According to yoga, the postures (asanas) are often related to nature or animals like birds and mammals. Ancient sages found out that holding postures resembling animal and bird postures, encourage humans to adapt their strengths and benefits. Every animal has a certain strength and miraculous way to heal.
The eagle has a very strong immune system that helps in fighting corona and can easily digest poison without being harmed by it. Did you know that the eagle can live up to 40 years? While most birds have a much shorter life, the eagle is very strong and its longevity is highly related to its strong immune system. A rooster is about the same size as an eagle but the rooster only lives 5-8 years. By adapting the eagle posture or Garudasana, we are adapting its strengths. But there are a few more physical and energetic reasons explained below.
How else does Garudasana improve your immune system?
The Posture in Relation to Emotional Blockages
In this picture, you can see all the main Emotional blockage points. In Garudasana (on the right), especially the legs and arm points are stimulated.
In Garudasana, you apply pressure to all the main Emotional Blockage points located at the calves, thighs, arms, and hands. This automatically helps you to release accumulated energy blockages so that the energy can flow regularly again all the way to the brain which coordinates all defense mechanisms. Imagine a blocked pipe which metaphorically represents your energy channels (Nadis). If you unblock them, the water can flow with pressure again and follow its regular direction.
Instructions on how to perform Garudasana
- Stand on your mat with your feet together
- Bend the right leg and twist it around the left leg
- The right thigh should be in front of the thigh and the top of the right foot should rest on the calf of the left leg
- Bend the elbows and them in front of your chest
- Twist the forearms around each other with the left elbow remaining below
- Place the palms together to resemble an eagle’s beak
- Balance here for some time and then slowly bend the left knee
- Lower the body while keeping your back straight
- Focus on one pint to keep the balance
- Hold this posture for as long as comfortable and then repeat with the legs and arms the opposite way.
Overview of the Benefits of Garudasana
- Stimulates more than 15 Emotional Blockage Points
- Improves the Immune System
- Increases the sense of balance
- Improves concentration
- Strengthens the muscles and loosens the joints of the shoulders, arms, and legs
If you are interested to learn more about Immune-System boosting asanas and pranayama techniques, let us know in the comments below. We are now trying to post frequent content here on our website blog and social media so that you can practice at home!
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