Suffering from cold? Try these yoga asanas for quick recovery

The weather change brings a host of health troubles! And no prizes for guessing, that cough and cold are the most common among them. Battling cold, flu or winter allergies can be infuriating, and it can sometimes even take a toll on your work and family. While it is best to work on strengthening our immune system, some yoga asanas can help you ease your woes.

Practicing some simple stretches and yoga poses can help in reducing your ordeal, according to yoga teacher and digital creator Shani Dayal. 

In a latest Instagram post, Dayal exhibits yoga asanas that can help you in quick recovery from cold. 

Dayal can be seen indulging in multiple asanas – from Ujjayi Pranayama and Ardha Matsyendrasana to Sarvangasana and Setu Bandha Sarvangasana. She captioned the video, “Try yoga asanas to support your recovery”.

Here are 5 yoga asanas you can indulge in for a speedy recovery from cold and winter allergies:

1. Ujjayi Pranayam

Here’s how to do it:

Also Read

Best compression socks for women: 6 top picks to reduce pain and swelling Read Now

• Sit in any meditative pose and take long, deep breaths slowly from both the nostrils
• Inhale slowly and deeply through the nostril and retain the breath within with full awareness as long as simply doable. Take out the sound of ‘sa’ while inhaling.This is often called Antar kumbhaka (inner retention)
•  Exhale slowly and deeply as long as well with full awareness. Take out the sound of ‘ha’ while exhaling. This is often Bahya kumbhaka (outer retention).

2. Ardha Matsyendrasana

 Here’s how to do it:

• Exhale, bend the right leg and place the foot outside the left knee. Inhale.
• Exhale, bend the left knee and place the sole to the right hip from outside
• Inhaling raise the left arm up
• While exhaling, catch the right big toe from outside of the right leg
• Maintain the final position with normal breathing
• Gaze at the right side while in the final position
• Hold for 1 minute

3. Sarvangasana

Here’s how to do it:

• Begin by lying down on your back.
• Place your arms beside your body.
• Gently lift your legs off the floor, and position them perpendicular to the floor with feet facing the sky. 
• Slowly, lift your pelvis and back off the floor.
• Bring your forearms off the floor, and place your palms on your back for support. 
• Try to achieve a straight line between your shoulder, torso, pelvis, legs and feet. 
• Try to touch your chin with your chest and focus your gaze towards your feet.

4. Setu Bandha Savangasna

Here’s how to do it:

• Lie down on your back. You can even cushion your back and shoulders
• Fold your knees and bring your feet as close to your hips. Keep your feet hip-width apart from each other
• Keep your hands on the floor besides your body, palms facing down
• Press your palms down while inhaling
• Put shoulders and feet on the ground and slowly lift your hips up. You can tighten your hips so that you don’t push too much pressure on your back
• Using your thighs, keep your knees close as they may spread out
• Engage your shoulders to keep your neck neutral
• You can clasp your hands behind your back, keep your arms straight
• Stay for 5-8 breaths or longer if you are comfortable

Just a word of caution before we move to share some of Dayal’s tips for cold and flu treatment – practice the aforementioned yoga asanas only if you have practiced them before, or under expert supervision. 

Try some remedies to treat your cold:

1. Drink a lot of warm fluids like soup or herbal water
2. Take steam
3. You can perform Jal Neti (nasal rinsing) if your nose is not clogged
4. Take ample rest for getting fit super soon!

And yes, take care of your body and immunity during changing weather!