Yoga is for holistic well-being. This means, its practice takes care of an individual at Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social and Spiritual Level.
In present times, all these dimensions are most important. One needs to be physically fit to carry on the tasks and at the same time respond to the situation. Shuddhi Kriyas, such as Jal Neti has shown to inhibit the growth of bacterial and viral growth in nasal and sinus area. We can also infer that daily practice of this would enhance one’s ability to avoid any infection. Simple asanas such as Parvatasana – stretching both the hands above your head, Vakrasana – the twisting posture, the Bhujangasana – the cobra pose, standing Tadasana- the stretching pose all are advised to ensure that lungs expansion takes place and your system is toned up.
Simple breathing practices, Pranayama, like Anuloma Viloma is known to harmonise your sympathetic and parasympathetic system, means getting more relaxation and reduction of stress. This would also mean that your immune system is better poised. Practices of Brahmari releases nitric oxide, which is good for bronco dilation. This not only relaxes but also strengthens the immunity in the vital areas of your nasal cavity.
Good mental and emotional health is important to ensure that the stress levels are under control. Fear, anxiety can lead to many other issues. Therefore, it is very important that we practice “Pran Dharna” or bodily awareness with breath to relax ourselves at all levels. A daily practice of 15 minutes could do wonders. We can simply test the effect by looking at the pulse rate and its decreasing while we practice this.
Nutritious food and some common sense approach are very helpful. Putting a bit of raw ginger and sucking on it twice or thrice a day would keep your throat in a very good condition. Steaming twice a day would help taking off the mucus which one accumulates, this is more important for individuals who have to step out of their houses.
Finally, let us not forget that the most important aspect of Yoga is the Yama and Niyam. These are sense of disciplines. Following of masking, physical distancing should become a discipline. We should train our mind to think that mask is a ‘clothing’ and should be worn without fail while interacting with individual. No hesitancy. Maintaining physical distancing, adopting ‘namaste’ as greeting needs to be ingrained in our social habits. It has been proven, that Yoga practitioners are more likely to have the will power to be disciplined than others, and this is the most important hidden benefit of Yoga.
About Kaivalyadhama – One of the oldest and pioneering institute of scientific research in Lonavala, Kaivalyadhama is rooted deep into the traditions of yoga and changing the lives of millions of people in India and across the globe. For the past 97 years, the practice has been preserved and promoted in its traditional form by eminent Yoga Masters. The aim here is to connect people around the world through the art of traditional yoga. Situated across India starting from Lonavla to Mumbai, New Delhi, Jaipur, Rajkot and Bhopal, Kaivalyadhama has spread its wings till USA, China and Japan. The institute offers a variety of online and offline courses and conducts workshops which helps an individual with multiple health benefits and provides immense knowledge on traditional yoga.
By Sh. Subodh Tiwari, CEO Kaivalyadhama (www.kdham.com)
