Colds and Flu

Published on July 28, 2008

Yoga can alleviate the symptoms of minor viral infections as well as boost the immune system to help the body recover from illness. Any type of physical activity will give a boost to the immune system, and yoga, with its inherent stress reducing and immune enhancing properties, will both provide a short-term boost and a long-term strengthening of the immune system. In addition to a general yoga practice, specific yoga postures can be used to target specific organs of the immune system to further enhance yoga’s immune boosting abilities.

Yoga Postures
Use our complete list of postures for Colds and Flu.

Pranayama
Practice Dirga and Nadi Sodhana Pranayamas to reduce stress and to calm the body and mind. If there is excess heat in the body, with symptoms of fever, agitation, restlessness and poor sleep, then Sit Cari and Shitali pranayamas will be helpful as well. If there is excess mucus in the lungs use Kapalabhati Pranayama.

Meditation
Meditation reduces stress, calms the mind and helps heal the body. Use one of the following by itself and/or at the beginning and end of your yoga practice: Yoga Meditation, Heart Chakra Meditation, Mantra Meditation.

Articles
Yoga Therapy for Colds and Flu
7 Poses to Relieve Cold & Flu Symptoms
Yoga Tips for Fending Off Colds and Flus
Colds and Flu: Alternative Therapies

Books and Videos
Yoga: the Path to Holistic Health
Yoga Therapy
Yoga RX

Web Resources
Colds Healing Center
Flu Healing Center
The Cold and Flu Survival Guide

Yoga is not a substitute for conventional western medication; please consult your medical professional before starting a yoga practice.

Share with

Friends

Our Latest

Yoga Articles
  • Mental Health Benefits of Yoga

    10 Tips for Harnessing the Mental Health Benefits of Yoga

  • Best Time to Meditate

    Finding the Best Time to Meditate: Tips and Advice on When to Sit

  • Purusharthas

    Purusharthas: The Four Goals of Life

  • Trimurti

    Trimurti: The Hindu Trinity of Brahma Vishnu Shiva

  • Brahman

    Brahman: Definition, Meaning, and Philosophy

  • Yoga Nidra

    Yoga Nidra: Meaning, Benefits, Videos and Tips

  • Living Like a Yogi

    17 Rules for Living Like a Yogi

  • heart opening yoga poses

    The Best 16 Heart Opening Yoga Poses

Remove Ads with a

Premium Membership

Viewing ads supports YogaBasics, which allows us to continue bringing you quality yoga content. Sign up for a premium membership to remove all ads and enjoy uninterrupted access to the best yoga resources on the web.

Explore More

Yoga TipsAdviceArticlesPracticesBasicsTechniques

  • Equanimity Through mantra meditation

    7 Ways to Find Equanimity Through Yoga

  • Yoga for Flexibility: Top Tips and Best Poses

    Yoga for Flexibility: Top Tips and Best Poses

  • Yoga astrology element

    Yoga and Astrology: Find the Best Practices for Your Sign

  • Restarting a yoga practice

    11 Ways to Reboot Your Yoga Practice

  • Yoga Pose For Empowerment

    4 Paths to Find Empowerment in Yoga

  • Yoga Helps Ease Suffering

    How Yoga Helps To Ease Suffering

  • Yoga Class for Beginners

    Which Yoga Class Is Best for Beginners?

  • meditation before bed benefits 2

    11 Benefits of Meditation Before Bed

  • hot yoga

    Hot Yoga: Definition, Benefits, Cautions and Tips for Newbies

2 responses to “Colds and Flu”

  1. Redhotyogi Avatar
    Redhotyogi

    This is just what I need having returned from a business trip feeling awful!! Today is the first day I almost didn’t practise yoga being religious for the last 4 weeks but I persisted as I know it benefits me. Tomorrow I will be taking onboard some of your suggestions. Thank you

  2. ramarao Avatar
    ramarao

    Please suggest me whether there is any yoga practice where one can get relief from nasal problem of atrophic rhinitis for which no treatment modality claims sure cure …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Timothy Burgin Avatar
About the author
Timothy Burgin is a Kripalu & Pranakriya trained yoga instructor living and teaching in Asheville, NC. Timothy has studied and taught many styles of yoga and has completed a 500-hour Advanced Pranakriya Yoga training. Timothy has been serving as the Executive Director of YogaBasics.com since 2000. He has authored two yoga books and has written over 500 articles on the practice and philosophy of yoga. Timothy is also the creator of Japa Mala Beads and has been designing and importing mala beads since 2004.
Yoga Basics