| YOGA TO BOOST IMMUNITY AGAINST COVID-19 | | AT HOME, WITH FAMILY | | Dr. Parveen Kumar, Dr. D. Namgyal
Peoples infected with corona virus should do ‘Pranayama’. These were the words of Rohit Dutta, the first patient from north India and the first person in the national capital to survive from the deadly corona virus. He has asked the peoples infected with the virus to do 'Pranayama', claiming that it is very useful in the course of recovery. This Delhi-based 45 years old businessman has all the praise for this practice of breath control in yoga i. e Pranayama, as he found it very effective for him while being treated for COVID-19. He recommends the same for COVID-19 patients. Pranayama, the practice of breath control in yoga, is considered as one of the best exercises for your lungs. Pranayama (breathing exercises) such as Kapalabhati or skull shining breath, can benefit our health in many ways including improving weight loss and dealing with stress-related disorders. Perhaps, the current novel corona virus pandemic has somehow motivated most of us to get healthier to some extent.
As the world faces one of its worst health crisis, the restricted travel and panic over the risk of infection, continuous flow of negative news and scarcity of day-to-day material and resources due the corona pandemic are all adding to growing anxiety. Being confined to our homes is mentally challenging. A mind running with negative thoughts over the uncertain future results, often results in sleepless nights which cause daytime fatigue. Mental health is of utmost importance to see through these challenging times. Most people are not able to relax and forcibly try to relax which results in greater stress. As such there has been a renewed focus on building one’s immunity. While having a nutrient rich food is one way to do it, another time-tested way is to practice yoga. Yoga has known to be beneficial since ages, and not just for weight loss, but also to keep the mind calm. Said to be a natural immunity booster, yoga also serves the dual purpose of helping keep stress at bay in these uncertain time. A number of studies back up the idea that regular practice of yoga and meditation can help increase lung capacity and manage health conditions that put us at risk of contracting COVID-19. There are over 300 asanas in the physical yoga practice. We can narrow down these asanas to few easy poses to start the daily yoga routine. These are Tadasana (standing pose), Vrikshasana (tree pose), Utthita Trikonasana (extended triangle), Marjaryasana and Bitilasana (cat and cow pose), and Balasana (child pose). In present time rife with uncertainty, Yoga is a holistic approach with long-term impact on overall health. It helps relieve muscle tension and calms mental stress. As people are working from home, anxiety has been a major concern. It helps to strengthen our defence system, stay positive and bounce back with more confidence. Anxiety or stress usually triggers the
sympathetic nervous system which has manifestations such as increased blood pressure, tensed muscles, lack of concentration, faster breathing and yoga helps to calm that down. Yoga is a great tool as the stretching poses help to reduce tension in muscles and joints, and this can, in turn, help relax the sympathetic system. With sudden closure of gyms, people who were used to heavy-weight routine are focusing on yoga due to lack of equipment at home.
Regular yoga improves lung capacity, clears mucus in the air passages and relieves congestion. It reduces bloating, clears the nadis (subtle energy channels), aids in weight loss, stimulates abdominal organs, resulting in a flat and toned belly, promotes digestion, improves blood circulation and helps you get glowing, radiant skin, refreshes the brain and calms the mind. It can also help manage lung conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). By doing Pranayama breathing exercise we can increase our oxygen intake up to five times. The more oxygen-rich blood to the brain, heart, lungs, and digestive organs can help to improve the functioning of these organs and improve our overall health. Yoga works at three levels. Firstly, it improves immunity, second it avoids depression and third yoga helps to set new goals for the global community so that we can be stronger.
Yoga is considered to be an ancient practice that originated about 5,000 years ago in India. It was developed to interconnect the mind, body and soul to step closer into enlightenment. The idea of an International Yoga day was first proposed by our Hon’ble Primeminister on September 27, 2014 where a resolution to establish June 21 as international Yoga day was introduced by Indian Ambassador Mr. A. K. Mukherjee.
The date for June 21 was chosen as it is the summer solstice, the longest day in the year where there is the most sun out of every other day of the year. The proposal received support from 177 nations, the highest number of co sponsors for any UN resolution proclaiming June 21 as the International Yoga day. On June 21, 2015 nearly 36,000 people including Primeminister performed 21 asanas for 35 minutes in New Delhi in what was the first International Yoga day and since then it is a yearly event celebrated all across the globe. Since its inception, the day is celebrated with a specific theme. The theme for this year's International Yoda Day on June 21 is ‘Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family.’ The theme is declared by the Ministry of Ayush, India and with the United States. This year’s theme shares a message that during COVID-19 people must stay home with family and should do yoga regularly as it is shown that yoga can be one of the best therapeutic during a pandemic.
International Day of Yoga is a worldwide event and it is celebrated through all the countries by practicing Yoga, meditation, debate and organizing a variety of cultural performance which spread the message and meaning of Yoga Day. Given the importance of yoga in leading a healthy life, the Department of Science and Technology under its programme
Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM) has invited proposals to study appropriate intervention of yoga and meditation in fighting COVID-19 and similar kinds of viruses. Teams of scientists, clinicians and experienced practitioners of yoga and meditation who have a proven track record in the field of yoga and meditation research are being encouraged to submit concept notes on the proposal. The Department of Science and Technology works under the Ministry of Science and Technology of Government of India.
As the world grapples with COVID-19 and still restrictions being in place, this year’s theme is the most appropriate. On this day, sitting at home we should do yoga at home and with our families. In fact Yoga should be included by all of us as an essential part of our daily chores. The earlier we understand this, the better it is for all of us and the entire humanity. |
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