Yoga Life: Yoga Life, what can help to fight coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus is originated in Wuhan, China but now it is not limited to a country or a region , The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the new coronavirus outbreak, COVID-19 coronavirus is a virus of SARS family.

Symptoms of COVID-19

fever
cough
difficulty breathing
pneumonia in both lungs

who are on more risk

People 65 years or older, and/or people with medical issues, like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, or a weakened immune system, are at a higher risk for getting very sick from COVID‑19.

If you are a high-risk individual and you develop fever or symptoms, call your doctor.

HOW we can help to prevent the spread of any respiratory virus, including COVID‑19:

· Wash hands often for 20 seconds and encourage others to do the same.

· If no soap and water are available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

· Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.

·Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

·Disinfect surfaces, buttons, handles, knobs, and other places touched often.

· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·social distancing involves staying away from other people to avoid catching or spreading illness.

How yoga can help in prevention of coronavirus COVID‑19/ other virus

As we know the people with good immune system are at low risk. There are more than 200 different viruses that can enter our body at any moment. In our hectic, everyday lives, we're prone to runny noses, coughs, head colds, stomach aches and many other illnesses we can certainly work our way to strengthen our defense mechanism. Yoga, perhaps, is one of the most effective and time-tested natural immunity boosters that we can adopt for a healthier life.

Colds are caused by bacteria that affect the upper respiratory system, causing stuffiness, coughing, and sore throat. If the immune system is weak, the bacteria can go into the lungs and cause bronchitis or pneumonia. Yoga is one of the main tools for maintaining the health of our respiratory system. Breathing technique and asana (posture) help improve the mechanical efficiency of our lungs by conditioning the repertory tract that increases the elasticity and strength of the whole lung. This helps prevent infection

Research on yoga and immune system

Some Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) to boost your immune system.

Yogic breathing is known as Pranayama (Breathing Techniques). Stress is one of the most serious reasons for poor immune system. When you are stressed out your internal environment is unbalanced and bacteria and viruses start attacking the body. Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) reduces stress levels and fight against anxiety to boost immune system. Through Pranayama (Breathing Techniques) we control our breathing elongating the inhales and exhales which help to improve our nervous system, provide more oxygen in our blood and anxiety levels begin to abate. Consequently our body automatically re-balances and restores immune system.

1. Bhramari Pranayama (The Humming Bee Breathing Technique)

2. Kapalbhati Pranayama (Forehead Shining Breathing Technique)

3. Anuloma Viloma Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing Technique)

4. Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellow Breathing Technique – Breath of Fire)
Watch videos to learn pranayam to improve immunity

Asana / Physical exercise to improve immunity-

There are many asana which can help to boost immunity but the simple and best is Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation it is a sequence of 12 powerful yoga poses

Surya Namaskar

1: Prayer pose – Pranamasana

tand at the end of your mat, keep your feet together and distribute your weight on both feet equally.

Open your chest and just relax your shoulders.

Breathe in and lift both your arms up from the sides.

Exhale and bring your palms together in a prayer position in front of your chest.

2: Raised arms pose – Hastauttanasana

Breath in and lift your arms up and back.

Make sure that your biceps are close to your ears.

Make effort to stretch your whole body starting from the heels up to the finger tips.

3: Hand to foot pose – Hasta Padasana

Breathing out and bend forward from your waist while keeping your spine straight.

Exhale and completely bring your hands down to the floor beside your feet.

4: Equestrian pose – Ashwa Sanchalanasana

Breath in and push your right leg as far back as possible.

Bring your right knee to the floor and slowly look up.

5: Stick pose – Dandasana

Breath in and take your left leg back

Bring your whole body in a straight line.

6: Salute with eight parts or points – Ashtanga Namaskara

Gradually bring your knees down to the floor then exhale.

Slightly take your hips back and slide forward.
Relax your chest and chin on the ground.

Elevate your posterior a little bit.

7: Cobra pose – Bhujangasana

Slide forward and raise your chest up into the Cobra pose.

Keep your elbows bent and fixed in this pose.

Keep your shoulders away from your ears.

Slowly look up.

8: Mountain pose – Parvatasana

Breath out and lift your hips as well as your tail bone up.

Put your chest downwards to create an inverted V pose.

9: Equestrian pose – Ashwa Sanchalanasana

Breath in and bring your right foot forward in between the two hands.

Bring your left knee down to the ground.

Press your hips down then look up.

10: Hand to foot pose – Hasta Padasana

Breath out and bring your left foot forward.

Keep your palms on the ground.

You can bend your knees, if you feel some discomfort.

11: Raised Arms Pose- Hastauttanasana

Breath in and roll your spine up,

Make your hands go up and bend backwards a little bit

Push your hips slightly outward.

12: Prayer pose – Pranamasana