The common cold makes itself felt all over the world at least once yearly.
Yoga's global popularity at this point in time,
doesn't include its capacity to guard the immune system and secure the body against common illnesses.
Our immune system is an intricate structure that causes bewilderment to the numerous bacteria, toxins, virus and parasites habitually attacking the body. A sturdy immune system epitomizes fitness, so an efficient immune system is crucial to our wellbeing.
A breakdown in the immune system is caused by many variables. Some of these are insufficient diet, stress, lack of exercise, toxins in the external and internal environments (like food), too much alcohol consumption. A deteriorating immune system could be restored by yoga and brought back to its regular efficiency.
Yoga has numerous positive effects on the immune system, like improvement of circulation, improvement of the flow of oxygen and therefore, energy throughout the body, heighten lung capacity, rejuvenation of internal organs, relaxing of the nervous sytem and strengthening immune response, among others.
The thymus gland is the 'locus' of the immune system, that is, it's the place where germs or infectious organisms enter. It's flanked by the heart and breast bone and is accountable for the production of T-cells. This is a group of cells crucial in the body's defense against invasion by foreign organisms.
Yoga postures focusing on upper back bends, chest opening and deep breathing stimulate the thymus. Some of these postures are cobra, pigeon, fish, bow, boat and bridge.
Inverted body positions like the head stand, shoulder stand, plow and legs up the wall assist the course of lymph and immune cells throughout the body by the heightened passive movement of the lymph system. The lymph is the watery material formed when interstitial fluid enters the lymphatic system. It's not like the blood that gets pumped into the body, instead its flow depends on the constriction of skeletal muscles. It is critical in carrying oxygen, food and water to the cells and removal of waste products out of the body.
The spleen is also one part of the immune system with essential functions like the removal of unwanted substance from the blood and helping battle against infection. Along with lymph nodes and other secondary organs of the immune system, the spleen is triggered by twisting yoga positions and hip openers. Postures like the seated twist, prayer twist, bound angle, seated angle and pigeon all serve to motivate these secondary organs.
Regular performance of yoga improves circulation of blood and oxygen throughout the body, which is a vital function of the immune system. Oxygen is needed by body cells in the performance of basic functions. So an improved flow of oxygen results in improved transport of energy from nutrients to cells, thereby providing greater ammunition to the immune system against germs.
The relaxed positions of yoga, together with deep pranayama (meaning directed and controlled breathing) assist the nervous system and bolster immune reaction.
Yoga's benefits of diminishing stress, massage and stimulation of internal organs, balance and power to the nervous system provide a crucial assistance in barring viral infections and common illnesses like colds and flu from harming the body. By this, Yoga gives harmony to the immune system as well as power against illnesses.
