10 Yoga Poses To Boost Immunity

by | Feb 2, 2024 | yoga | 0 comments

In the current era, where maintaining a robust immune system is more crucial than ever, incorporating yoga into your daily routine can be a game-changer. Beyond its physical benefits, yoga is a holistic practice that nurtures the mind, body, and soul. Here, we will explore ten yoga poses specifically designed to boost immunity, promoting overall health and well-being in this blog post.

1- Tadasana (Mountain Pose)

Mountain Pose

Tadasana, or Mountain Pose, anchors you to the earth, improving posture, enhancing lung capacity, and establishing a strong foundation for overall health and immune resilience.

  • You can begin by standing with your feet together and arms by your sides.
  • Inhale, reach your arms overhead, palms facing each other.
  • Engage your thighs, lift your chest, and gaze straight ahead.
  • Tadasana helps improve posture, lung capacity, and overall body awareness, laying a foundation for a strong immune system.

Pranayama: Deep Abdominal Breathing – Inhale and exhale deeply, focusing on expanding your abdomen with each breath.

Mudra: Gyan Mudra – Touch the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb while extending the other fingers.

Bandha: Mula Bandha – Engage the pelvic floor muscles by lifting and contracting them while maintaining a steady breath.

2- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog)

Downward-Facing Dog

Downward Dog, a staple in yoga, promotes blood circulation, reduces stress, and strengthens the body, fostering a robust immune system through enhanced vitality and overall well-being.

  • Start on your hands and knees and lift your hips toward the ceiling.
  • Straighten your legs, keeping a slight bend in your knees.
  • After that, allow your head to hang freely between your arms.
  • Downward Dog increases blood circulation, relieves stress, and strengthens the entire body, supporting immune function.

Pranayama: Ujjayi Pranayama – Constrict the back of your throat slightly while breathing to create a soothing sound.

Mudra: Anjali Mudra – Bring your palms together in a prayer position at your chest.

Bandha: Uddiyana Bandha – Pull your navel towards your spine during each exhale, engaging the abdominal muscles.

3- Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

Camel Pose

Ustrasana, or Camel Pose, opens the heart and stimulates the thymus gland, fortifying the immune system and promoting emotional balance.

  • Kneel on the mat with your knees hip-width apart.
  • Reach back to grab your heels, opening your chest and arching your back.
  • Ustrasana stimulates the thymus gland, which is crucial for the functioning of the immune system.

Pranayama: Nadi Shodhana Pranayama – Practice alternate nostril breathing to balance the energy channels.

Mudra: Hridaya Mudra – Join the tips of your thumbs and ring fingers, extending the other fingers.

Bandha: Jalandhara Bandha – Gently lower your chin towards the chest, engaging the throat lock.

4- Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose)

Bridge Pose

 Bridge Pose, with its backbend action, strengthens the spine, opens the chest, and boosts immune function by enhancing blood circulation and respiratory health.

  • First, you have to lie on your back, bend your knees, and place your feet hip-width apart.
  • Lift your hips towards the sky, clasping your hands under your back.
  • Bridge Pose strengthens the spine, opens the chest, and improves blood circulation, supporting the immune system.

Pranayama: Bhastrika Pranayama – Perform rapid and forceful inhalations and exhalations to increase energy.

Mudra: Vishnu Mudra – Fold your index and middle fingers toward your palm, extending the others.

Bandha: Uddiyana Bandha – Engage the abdominal lock by drawing the navel towards the spine.

5- Balasana (Child’s Pose)

Child’s Pose

Balasana, or Child’s Pose, induces a relaxation response, reducing stress and supporting the immune system by activating the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

  • Kneel on the mat, sit back on your heels, and reach your arms forward.
  • Rest your forehead on the mat.
  • Balasana promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, enhancing immune function.

Pranayama: Dirgha Pranayama – Practice deep and expansive breathing, filling the lungs completely.

Mudra: Adi Mudra – Curl your fingers into a fist, with the thumbs inside and touching the little fingers.

Bandha: Mula Bandha – Contract the pelvic floor muscles while maintaining a relaxed and deep breath.

6- Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath)

Bee Breath

Bhramari Pranayama, with its soothing hum, calms the mind, alleviates stress, and enhances immune response by promoting a state of mental and physical equilibrium.

  • First, you have to sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a deep breath.
  • Then, while making a humming sound like a bee, exhale.
  • Bhramari Pranayama calms the mind, reduces stress, and boosts the production of nitric oxide, which plays a role in the immune response.

Pranayama: Bhramari Pranayama – Focus on the humming sound produced during exhalation for mental calmness.

Mudra: Shanmukhi Mudra – Close the ears, eyes, and mouth with your fingers, creating a sense of withdrawal and introspection.

Bandha: Mula Bandha – Engage the pelvic floor muscles to enhance the grounding effect.

7- Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand)

Shoulder Stand

Sarvangasana, or Shoulder Stand, stimulates the thyroid gland, which plays a vital role in metabolism and immune regulation, contributing to overall health and resilience.

  • You have to lie on your back, lift your legs over your head, and support your lower back with your hands.
  • Straighten your legs, keeping them in line with your torso.
  • Shoulder Stand stimulates the thyroid gland, enhancing the body’s metabolism and immune function.

Pranayama: Kapalabhati Pranayama – Perform rapid and forceful exhalations followed by passive inhalations.

Mudra: Maha Mudra – Combine the gestures of Jnana Mudra, Chin Mudra, and Adi Mudra to enhance focus and balance.

Bandha: Jalandhara Bandha – Lower the chin towards the chest, engaging the throat to lock for stability.

8- Halasana (Plow Pose)

Plow Pose

Halasana, the Plow Pose, stretches the spine and stimulates abdominal organs, fostering a healthy immune response through improved circulation and enhanced digestive function.

  • From the Shoulder Stand, lower your legs behind your head.
  • Keep your toes on the mat and your hands supporting your lower back.
  • Halasana stretches the spine, stimulates the abdominal organs, and promotes a healthy immune response.

Pranayama: Anulom Vilom Pranayama – Practice alternate nostril breathing to balance energy flow.

Mudra: Matangi Mudra – Join the tips of your thumbs and ring fingers, extending the other fingers.

Bandha: Uddiyana Bandha – Engage the abdominal lock by drawing the navel towards the spine for stability.

9- Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

Dhanurasana, or Bow Pose, activates the thymus gland and strengthens the entire body, promoting the production of immune-boosting white blood cells.

  • You have to lie on your stomach, bend your knees, and reach back to grab your ankles.
  • Inhale, lift your chest and thighs off the mat.
  • Bow Pose activates the thymus gland, supporting the production of white blood cells that defend the body against infections.

Pranayama: Ujjayi Pranayama – Maintain the ocean-like sound while breathing to deepen your focus.

Mudra: Dhyana Mudra – Place your hands in your lap with palms facing up, your right hand resting on the left, and your thumbs lightly touching.

Bandha: Mula Bandha – Contract the pelvic floor muscles to enhance the grounding effect.

10- Matsyasana (Fish Pose)

Fish Pose

Matsyasana, or Fish Pose, opens the chest and stimulates the thymus gland, contributing to respiratory health and bolstering the body’s immune defenses.

  • You have to lie on your back, place your hands under your hips, and lift your chest.
  • Arch your back, allowing the crown of your head to touch the mat.
  • Matsyasana opens the chest, stimulates the thymus gland, and improves respiratory function, contributing to a robust immune system.

Pranayama: Bhastrika Pranayama – Perform rapid and forceful inhalations and exhalations to energize the body.

Mudra: Hridaya Mudra – Join the tips of your thumbs and ring fingers, extending the other fingers.

Bandha: Jalandhara Bandha – Lower the chin towards the chest, engaging the throat to lock for stability.

So, by incorporating these ten yoga poses into your daily routine, you enhance physical strength and flexibility and empower your immune system to function optimally. The mind-body connection cultivated through yoga fosters a harmonious and resilient immune response. As with any exercise regimen, it’s essential to listen to your body, progress gradually, and consult a healthcare professional if you have any existing health concerns. Embrace the transformative power of yoga as a holistic approach to fortifying your immune system and cultivating overall well-being.

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