Yoga To Help Relieve Allergies
Some of us experience allergies all year round and some of us during Spring season. This year the pollen count is very high. I have been feeling congested and sneezing when I spend time outdoors, how about you? The more I focus on postures that help relieve and prevent allergies the better I feel. Check out these yoga postures and breath-work that open space and heal your throat, lungs, heart, and immunity. These poses have many more healing benefits, but the focus here is to stimulate the areas in your body during allergy season.
Fish Pose is a gentle inversion that opens your throat and lungs. Support your lower back by placing your hands faced down under your buttocks. Breathe in this position a few breaths and ease out of the pose gently with your head slowly rising up to sit.
You can do a forward fold to counter balance the Fish Pose to relax your back and neck.
Camel Pose stretches the chest muscles and relieves the tightness in the chest. Camel Pose is considered a back bend that opens your rib cage and allows you to breathe fuller. Ease out of this pose by slowly tilting your head upward. You can place your hands by your lower back - fingers facing downwards if you don’t feel comfortable to go deeper in the back bend.
A child’s pose is a great way to counter balance this pose and relax your neck and back. Stay in the pose for a few breaths and enjoy the relaxation.
Nodha Shodhana - Alternate Nostril Breathing clears the nasal passages and balances energy flow. There are many breathing techniques to stimulate your lung capacity, soothe your muscles, rest your immune system, and relax your nervous system.
Ujjayi breath is called the victorious breath that has an ocean sound. Ujjayi breath is how we breathe as we’re practicing a yoga sequence. This is when we constrict the back of our throat on the inhalations and exhalations throughout our practice.
Genia’s Spoon Me Tips
Alternate Nostril Breathing is one of my favorite breathing practices. Early morning I sit on my yoga mat, elevated on my meditation pillow or a yoga block - you can use a folded towel, as well that elevates your sit bones. The elevation allows you to elongate your spine, sit more comfortably and cross your legs or extend your legs lower than your hips. It allows me to sit for longer periods of time in comfort.
There are so many breath-work practices. The benefits of intentional breathing is profound. Please reach out if you have any questions.
Much love,
Genia