The Menace of Corona Yoga poses for better immunity

Introduction

While this article is being written, the hard reality is that all schools are shut, people are not going for work, Sensex is falling and many countries are under complete lockdown.

This is the global impact of the COVID – 19 (COrona VIrus Disease – 19), that has been caused by Corona virus. This virus originated in the Wuhan district of China in December 2019 and, in a few months, it has spread across the globe. Its effect has been widespread, that on 11 March, 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) was forced to declare it a worldwide pandemic.

How does it Spread?

The spread of this Corona virus is similar to that of influenza, where a person is exposed to the virus because of touching, coughing, sneezing and any other form of respiratory droplets.

The symptoms of Corona attack are cold, dry cough, and high fever. If an infected person’s saliva touches a surface, then that surface becomes a host for the virus. This surface could be anything like a doorknob, a napkin, or even the button of an elevator. If another person touches that surface, then there is a chance to contract this virus. The virus can spread very fast and in a few days, it can affect millions.

What’s the Cure?

The unfortunate part is that, as on now, there is no cure for Corona. No medicine or vaccine can control Corona. As of now, to fight Corona, we can do only 3 things, which are as follows:

• Keeping personal hygiene
• Maintaining Social distance
• Making our immunity strong

While the personal hygiene can be achieved through using sanitizers several times in a day and social distancing has been imposed through global lockdown, we need to work on improving our immunity. There are several ways to make our immunity strong, sitting at home.

Building our Immunity – The Way Forward

Like always, the nature has the answer. There are many herbs and concoctions can help you enhance your immunity and prevent Corona. Similarly, the world is waking up to that fact that the “Yoga” and “Pranayama’ are the panacea that are universal remedies. They have the power to cure all diseases and solve all problems. Whether it is infection, psychosomatic diseases, or lifestyle disorders, yoga and pranayama work for everything.

Even in the case of corona virus, people who have been practicing yoga, meditation and pranayama have experienced a higher level of immunity and lung strength, making it difficult for the virus to affect their bodies.

Aasans of Yoga to build our Immunity

Let’s find out the different aasanas that you can do in the comfort of your home to enhance your immunity levels and stay safe from Corona.

1. Kati Chakrasana:

The name “Kati Chakrasana’ comes from Sanskrit language. On breaking this word, you get ‘kati’, which means “waist”; ‘chakra’ which means “wheel” or “circular rotation”; and ‘asana’, which means “pose” or “posture.”
Simply speaking, Kati chakrasana is a simple standing pose with a spinal twist. In English, it is known as standing spinal twist.

How to do this asana?

Begin in a standing position with your feet apart. Extend your arms in front with the palms facing and thumbs toward the sky. Then twist your body to one side with the arm leading the twist wrapping around the back to rest on the opposite hip. The other arm crosses the chest so the hand rests on the leading shoulder.

Benefits of Kati Chakrasana:

Traditionally, this asana is believed to activate and balance the manipura (solar plexus or navel) chakra because of the twisting of the abdominal region. Opening the manipura chakra is believed to promote transformative power and energy, boost self-esteem, and encourage self-control, confidence, decision-making, and a sense of purpose.

In addition to increasing flexibility, this asana has following additional mental/emotional benefits:

• Releases tension and stress
• Promotes the free-flow of energy
• Calms the mind
• Stimulates the nervous system
• Eases depression

2. Trikonasana:

The name “Trikonasana’ comes from Sanskrit one again. The word ‘trikona’ means “three corners” or “triangle,” and; ‘asana’, which means “pose” or “posture”. In English, it is commonly referred to as triangle pose in English.

How to do this asana?

In this asana, stand with both arms extend and the legs spread apart. Turn one foot at an angle of 90-degree. Bend the upper body toward the lead foot so that one arm reaches toward the ground, but not necessarily touching it, while the other toward the sky.

Benefits of Trikonasana:

Trikonasana is a standing yoga posture that requires strength, balance and flexibility. It is one of the basic poses common to the many styles of yoga.

In addition to a range of physical benefits, Trikonasana is believed to have many benefits:

• It unblocks energy pathways in the body.
• It stimulates the svadisthana chakra. This chakra is the center of creativity, pleasure and enjoyment.

3. Dhanurasana:

The name “Dhanurasana’ comes from Sanskrit language, yet again. On breaking this word, you get ‘dhanu’, which means “bow”; and ‘asana’, which means “pose” or “posture.” Dhanurasana is commonly referred to as bow pose in English.

How to do this asana?

Dhanurasana is a backbend that deeply opens the chest and the front of the body.
To do this, lie flat on the stomach and bend the knees. Then reach your arms back and raise your ankles, so as that the arms reach back to grab the ankles. Arch your back and then lift the thighs off of the floor as the chest pushes forward, bending the body to resemble a bow.

Benefits of Dhanurasana:

In a spiritual practice, dhanurasana stimulates the manipura (solar plexus) chakra, also called the life source chakra, situated just above the navel. Stimulating this chakra increases the digestive fire and activates the flow of prana, or life energy.
Manipura chakra also represents the core Self and is tied to the practitioner’s sense of identity and the ability to be confident and in control.

4. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana is one of the basic backbend poses that prepares one for advanced backbend versions. The term is derived from the Sanskrit ‘setu’, meaning “bridge,” ‘bandha’, meaning “lock,” ‘sarva’, meaning “all,” anga, meaning, “limb,” and asana meaning “pose.” Setu Bandha Sarvangasana may also be referred to as bridge pose in English.

How to do this asana?
To enter the pose, lie on the back with knees bent and hands and feet on the mat. Lift the lower back off the ground as high as possible and hold for 10 seconds to one minute. To exit the pose, lower the back to the floor.

Benefits of Setu Band Sarvangasana:

This asana is powerful yet simple and can be categorized as a restorative asana. It stimulates the muladhara (root), visuddha (throat) and anahata (heart) chakras. It is thought that the root chakra helps one stay connected; the throat chakra improves one’s communication and expression; and the heart chakra promotes warmth, compassion and healing.

This beginner’s backbend asana not only works at the physical level, but also promotes mental health by:

• Relieving negative emotions
• Relaxing the mind
• Alleviating stress and anxiety
• Promoting inner calm

5. Natarajasana:

Natarajasana is a standing asana that requires balance and concentration. The name comes from the Sanskrit ‘nata’, meaning “dancer,” ‘raja’, meaning “king,” and ‘asana’, meaning “pose” or “posture.” The common English name for this pose is dancer’s pose (or lord of the dance pose).

How to do this asana?

Begin by standing straight with arms at the sides. Bend the right leg backward with the heel lifted to the right buttock and the knee bent. The right hand reaches back and grasps the outside of the right foot or ankle. Then the right leg moves up as much as possible, pressing the foot or ankle into the right hand. The left arm is stretched forward, parallel to the floor. This asana is held for a couple of breaths and then repeated on the other side.

Benefits of Natarajasana:
Traditionally, Nataraja is the king, or lord, of the dance, which is the cosmic dance of creation, preservation and dissolution. Named after him, Natarajasana teaches one to recognize contrasts. This pose helps the practitioner to be able to witness all of these movements and changes, but remain changeless.

Main benefits of this asana are:

• It improves the balance and focus.
• It strengthens the legs, hips, ankles, and chest, and helps one develop grace.
• It also promotes inner stillness and consciousness of the world changing all around.