5 Yoga Poses To Build Strong Immune System

Environmental pollutants, toxins and constant stress can weaken your immune system and make them susceptible to disease. Studies have shown that viruses and bacteria reside quietly within us until something in the body s internal environment becomes imbalanced, at which point they rally into action and attack. Yoga helps lower stress hormones that can weaken the immune system, while conditioning the lungs and the respiratory tract stimulating the lymphatic system to release toxins from the body. The asanas help provide fresh pure oxygenated blood to various systems of the body so that they can function optimally.

* Matsyasana

The fish pose opens up the upper body, the heart and the lungs. It also stimulates the thymus, which plays an important role in the body s defence mechanism. It also corrects your posture while strengthening your spine. Here are some yoga asanas to relieve symptoms of thyroid disorders.

- Lie flat on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Now straighten your legs, place your arms on either side.
- Raise your hips, one side at a time and place your hands under each hip.
- Bend your elbows and push your upper body off the floor; remember to exhale as you do this. Only raise your chest and tilt your head backwards.
- Hold this pose for five counts and inhale as you rest your back on the floor.

* Ustrasana or camel pose

The camel pose helps improve your respiratory and digestive systems. It also opens up your chest and your heart while strengthening your abdominal muscles, shoulders and thighs.

- Kneel on your yoga mat and press your chin onto the floor, such that it is flat against the mat. Now place your hands on either side of your pelvis, with your fingers pointing downwards.
- Next, push your tailbone downwards and forwards while keeping your upper body upright. Inhale and tilt your head back, with your chin pointing to the sky.
- Gently lean back forming an inward arch in your back. Now place your palms on the soles of your feet for added support.
- Hold this pose for fifteen to twenty seconds, exhale and come back to your original position.

* Adho Mukho Svanasana

This asana works out your entire body and increases the blood circulation. It is also very effective in improving your digestion, preventing the onset of osteoporosis, relieve a headache, and beat insomnia and fatigue. It also opens up the chest and strengthens the thighs, back and abdominal muscles.

- Lie on your stomach on your yoga mat. Now, place your palms near your ears and point your toes downwards so that your heels are facing the ceiling.
- Exhale and push off your hands such that your buttocks are pointing towards the sky.
- Now push back onto your feet so that they are flat on the floor. You will feet a stretch on your hamstrings.
- Practice this regularly and you will slowly increase your flexibility and be able to flatten your feet.

* Balasana

This pose is very effective in boosting your immunity. It tones the abdominal organs stimulating the digestion and elimination. This asana allows you to relax and stretch put your arms, lower back and spine.

- Start with your knees on the floor; now rest your buttocks on your feet. Make sure your back is straight and your hands are resting on your knees.
- Now exhale, and while using your hands as support, slide down and forwards into the child s pose. Once here, breathe in and out slowly.
- The goal is to have your forehead touch the ground, but if you can t do not push yourself. Hold this pose for as long as you are comfortable.
- Now to come out of this pose, inhale and use your hands to push up your upper body. Rise slowly and try not to put too much pressure on your back.

* Standing Chakrasana

This asana effectively stimulates the thyroid and pituitary glands thereby improving your overall health. It also helps to massage the organs of the digestive system helping them to function better.

- Stand erect with your feet apart and parallel. Interlock your hands in the front.
- Inhaling raise your hands up and bend backwards.
- Exhaling bend forward and swing your arms behind. - Interlock your fingers at the back and pull towards your head.
- Inhaling return to the starting position.