7 Yoga Stretches to Help Relieve Cold & Flu Symptoms

Yoga for Cold & Flu: 7 Stretches to Find Relief

Introduction

The era of cold and flu can be pretty challenging. The pesky viruses lurking around every corner, leaving us feeling sluggish and under the weather. Even though we need to rest and restore our bodies during this time, it’s also helpful to move a little to help boost immunity. That’s where yoga comes in! Yoga is an ancient practice that promotes overall health including boosting your immune system.

Yoga involves several stretches that can potentially provide relief during a flu attack by opening up your nasal passages and relieving congestion through deep breathing exercises, thus helping you breathe easier. Furthermore, the calming effect that yoga has on the mind and body leads to a decrease in stress which could otherwise hamper recovery.

In this post, we’re going to look at seven different yoga stretches that are particularly beneficial for anyone suffering from a cold or flu. These stretches are all designed to open up the chest and stimulate the respiratory organs, helping to maintain a healthy flow of air into and out of the lungs.

The Cobra Pose

The Cobra Pose, known as Bhujangasana in Sanskrit, is an excellent stretch for relieving chest congestion. It opens up the chest and lungs, enabling better airflow. This pose can help with the removal of mucus trapped in the lungs, thereby increasing your overall comfort.

Consider this: You are laid flat on your stomach, pressing your palms beside your torso and lifting your upper body back and upwards with support from your arms while looking ahead. With each inward breath, try to engage more deeply with the stretch.

• Makes the spine flexible and strong.
• Expands the chest, shoulders, and abdomen.
• Stimulates abdominal organs.
• Relieves stress and fatigue.
• Opens the heart and lungs.
• Tones the buttocks.

Easy Pose with Forward Bend

If you’re seeking a more restful pose that also helps drain the nasal passages, you might consider the Easy Pose with Forward Bend — Sukhasana. This pose calms the brain and helps relieve mild depression and anxiety, symptoms commonly seen in those battling flu symptoms.

In this pose, sit comfortably cross-legged on the ground and lean forward as much as possible without straining yourself, extending your arms out in front of you.

• Promotes inner calm.
• Stretches back and neck.
• Reduces anxiety and stress.
• Opens up the hips and groin.
• Helps alleviate mental and physical fatigue.
• Aids in the development of good posture.

Bridge Pose

The Bridge Pose, or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, is a rejuvenating stretch that opens up the chest and increases lung capacity, making it perfect for aiding the recovery process from a cold or flu.

To do this pose, lie flat on your back, bend your knees, place your feet flat on the floor and close together, lift your hips off the floor while keeping your shoulders and head relaxed down.

• Stretches the chest, neck, and spine.
• Calms the brain and alleviates stress and mild depression.
• Stimulates abdominal organs, lungs, and thyroid.
• Improves digestion.
• Helps alleviate the symptoms of menopause.
• Reduces fatigue and insomnia.

Eagle Pose

The Eagle pose is a unique stretch that fosters concentration and balance, ideal for when you’re feeling unsteady due to a fever from your cold or flu. This pose stretches your upper back muscles[…]