How Yoga Boosts Your Immune System

By Lisa Ash Drackert for her lisa.ash.yoga blog.

Did you know that yoga can boost your immune system by promoting lymphatic regularity and nourishing your tissues with oxygen-rich blood cells? 

Your lymphatic system plays an essential role in healthy immunity, circulation and detoxification. It is a complex network of vessels found throughout the body (especially in the fascial system) that efficiently circulates lymphocytes, disease fighting antibodies, metabolic byproducts and lymph fluid to keep your body vital. 

Yoga, Self-Myofascial Release and yoga pranayama (breathing exercises) support a robust lymphatic system by encouraging the removal of impurities from the body. In addition, contracting your muscles as you move and breathe in yoga acts as a pump for the lymphatic system. Mindful, vigorous movement of any kind helps the lymphatic system flow more efficiently, however, yogic techniques in particular also help mitigate harmful effects of stress on your body. This combination builds the base for strong immunity.

Try these 3 Yoga Practices to Boost Your Immune System:

 

1. Legs up the Wall Pose

Scoot your hips close to the wall and lay down on your back, sliding your heels upward. Set a timer for 6 to 10 minutes and rest on your back. Don’t have a wall? Sling your feet up on the seat of a chair. Gentle, supported inversions help promote lymphatic flow, reduce swelling and remove excess build-up of fluid around major organs.

2. Foot Massage with Self-Myofascial Release

Grab a tennis ball and roll the bottom of your foot on the ball from heel to toe. Use medium pressure so that it feels reassuring to the tissues but is easy to control the movement. After 3 minutes, decrease the pressure significantly and “scribble” the ball in all directions like its a marker making random patterns on the bottom of your foot. This encourages lymphatic return and can help re-circulate disease fighting lymphocytes all over the body.

3. Diaphragm Strengthening

Roll up a towel and slide it under the soft part of your belly as you lie down in sphinx pose: belly down, chest supported by the forearms. Take 10 cleansing inhales and exhales; inhale through the nose and exhale a loud sigh out of the mouth. The lymphatic system helps to remove toxins and other natural metabolic byproducts from the bloodstream through perspiration, bowel movements and breathing, keeping your body healthy.

Learn More! Join Lisa for an Online Workshop: Yoga Immune Boost Workshop

 

Sunday August 2, 2020; 9:00 am- 10:30 am  (CST)

held in the Online Classroom at Westport Yoga KC

Enroll Here