Yoga and Immunity
Health and immunity go hand in hand but health is not merely the absence of disease, it is much more than that, and includes aspects of physical, mental and social well being.
When we talk about “boosting immunity” and immediately jump on the bandwagon with anything that would help us to do so, we need to look at it from a different perspective; what would improve our health, all aspects of it, and hence support a strong immune system?
COVID-19 has shaken the entire world from a deep slumber and made us introspect, about our inner selves and our health. It has forcefully brought our hard working, shy immune system into a much deserved spotlight. Think of the immune system as the soldiers who protect our body; they need good fuel to help them do their work, and they need less distractions from their immediate job- which is, protecting your body!
Where does yoga come into this picture? Yoga is a science, designed to improve all aspects of health. Asanas are the most popular aspect of yoga, which do not just mean bending our bodies in different angles, but doing so, methodically, with proper breathing techniques.
Imagine yourself doing an asana, you start with the basic pose, and build it onwards, incorporating breathing into it, and holding the body in the final position. This is repeated even when you come back from the final pose to the basic pose. All this while, the muscles in your body are in harmony with your bones and joints, helping you reach the final pose. Your mind is focussed on your breath and your body, and you are, even if it is for an instant, not focussing on the bills you need to pay, or the next series you plan on watching! With this one asana, you are putting your physical body at work, optimising your breathing, and calming your ever active mind. Different asanas focus on different aspects of your body and over a period of time, you begin to see the results for yourself!
Another important aspect of Yoga is Pranayama, which is again, a series of specific breathing techniques, with immediate benefits such as freeing up the respiratory tract, and on a longer term, improving respiratory function.
The most, and probably the least outwardly visible effect of yoga, is its effect on stress. Stress, not necessarily visible outside, can wreak bigger havocs compared to everything else. The pandemic and its associated fear of unknown, has affected all of us in different ways, and the body and mind tend to get stressed. When stressed, the body focusses all the energy on coping with the stress, and in this race, our immunity gets left behind. Several asanas and yogic techniques help the body destress. The most effective of those being meditation. Several studies conducted on the impact of meditation have shown it to reduce the level of cortisol (the hormone released by the body when it's stressed), increase endorphins and better the mood. Techniques like yoga nidra and yogic relaxation techniques help you to sleep better, and give your body ample rest.
So, before rushing to buy everything to “boost immunity”, think about this, if your health is good, if what you are eating is getting assimilated well, if the way you work or function isn't stressing you, you immunity will support you and in return, you can do a few things which will act like perks for your immunity, encouraging it better to support you.