Common cold and cough are the two most common infections we face during a seasonal change. The body’s immune system fights them effectively. However, the immunity level of one person differs from other and one can take a longer or a shorter time to get back to normal. Practicing yoga is both a preventive and curative remedy.
The below-mentioned yoga poses enhance blood circulation to the respiratory tract, and eliminate the toxins. They clear the nasal channel, letting you breathe freely. They also work towards strengthening your immune system.
Yoga Poses To Cure Cough
1. Hastapadasana (Standing Forward Bend)
- Stand straight with feet together and arms alongside the body.
- Balance your weight equally on both feet.
- Extend your arms overhead while you inhale.
- Exhale and bend forward followed by bending down towards the feet.
- Do not bend your knees and keep your spine erect.
- Clasp your palms either beside the feet or legs or rest them on the floor.
- Stay in this posture for about 30 seconds and continue to breathe deeply.
- Change the posture by moving your chest towards the knees, lifting the hips and tailbone together, and pressing the heels down.
- Move your head gently towards the floor and continue deep breathing.
- To come back to normal position, breathing in, stretch your arms forward and up, slowly come up to the standing position.
- Exhaling, bring the arms to the sides.
2. Bhujangasana (The Cobra Pose)
- Lie flat on your stomach, keeping your legs close together and your toes touching the floor.
- Let your forehead rest on the ground.
- Place your hands (palms downwards) under your shoulders.
- Let your elbows be parallel and close to your torso.
- Inhale deeply and slowly lift your head, chest, and abdomen while keeping your navel on the floor.
- While you breathe deeply, straighten your arms by arching your back as much as possible and tilt your head back and look up.
- Make sure there is no tension around your shoulders and keep them away from your ears.
- You can bend your elbows gently to relieve the tension around the shoulders if any.
- Stay in this pose for 40 seconds.
- Breathing out, gently bring your abdomen, chest and head back to the floor.
3. Sarvangasana (The Shoulder Stand Pose)
- Lie down on your back and bring your knees to your chest. Your hands should lay alongside your hips.
- Now, press your hands against the ground to lift your hips up the floor, with your knees still bent at your chest.
- Now support your lower back with your hands and raise your back higher and stretch out your legs straight and upright. Your upper arms should be on the mat.
- The weight of your body should lie on your shoulders and not your neck or the head.
- Straighten your knees, creating a straight line from your heels down through your shoulders.
- Hold the pose, breathing smoothly and evenly for several breaths.
- Release the pose by placing your hands flat on the floor behind your back, and your spine rolling back normally on the ground.
4. Simhasana (The Lion Pose)
- Sit comfortably in the lotus pose or in a kneeling position.
- Breathe out, and place your hands on the floor, shoulder-width apart at about 2 feet in front of your knees.
- Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, widen your eyes to the maximum capacity, raise your eyebrows, roll your eyes up in their sockets, open your mouth wide, and stick out your tongue like you are trying to touch your chin with it.
- Hold this pose as your exhale completely.
- Once the exhalation is done, release the pose by relaxing your face first, followed by sitting in the comfortable position.
5. Matsyasana (The Fish Pose)
- Lie on your back with your spine straight. Let your arms and legs extend out and relax.
- Place your hands under your butt with palms down. Let your butt rest on top of your hands, with forearms tucked into your sides.
- Inhale deeply and lift your back up, raising your chest, head, shoulders, upper back and arms off the floor.
- Let your head rest on the mat comfortably. The elbows should hold the weight of your upper body.
- Hold this pose for as long as you can with relaxed breathing.
- Release the pose by returning your arms, back, and upper back down to the ground.
