Yoga for Winter Wellness and Immune Support

In Scotland, it sometimes feels like winter all year round. There wasn’t much to cheer at the Euros, but at least we knew it was summertime because the football was on. The weather did nothing to suggest we were in June and July, which means some people are a bit down in the mouth about the prospect of colder months coming soon.

These are the months we find ourselves more likely to suffer from colds and flu. In truth, these are tiring months, with most people struggling to see any daylight. It is essential to be as proactive as possible when it comes to taking care of yourself.

Runners are undoubtedly digging out their full range of waterproof clothes and might consider swapping post-run protein shakes for a big bowl of soup. You can also add yoga to your routine to boost your winter wellness, adding another layer to your body’s natural defences.

Benefits of Yoga for winter wellness

In our yoga hub, we’ve considered a wide range of benefits associated with the activity. This means we’ve already covered some of the benefits listed below, but it’s helpful to place them into context for this time of year.

If you are worried about dipping temperatures and cold air impacting your health, the following Yoga benefits might interest you:

Reduced stress levels—Yoga helps to reduce cortisol levels, which reduces stress levels and boosts immune functions.

Better circulation—Yoga is known for improving the flow of blood around your body, which will help you care for your joints during the colder months.

Better breathing—A wide range of yoga poses use breathing techniques that strengthen your lungs, helping you to take in more oxygen.

Boost Your Immune System with These Yoga Poses

As always, we recommend speaking with a qualified Yoga instructor before committing to a new regime, but in our research, we’ve found the following poses that are highly recommended to leave you feeling ready for anything this winter.

Heart-Opening Poses

A heart-opening pose in yoga allows your upper chest and rib cage to expand, releasing tension from your back, shoulders, and neck. These poses are ideal for people who spend a lot of time hunched over at their computer desks, but they also boost your posture and aid your breathing.

The following poses are worth considering to boost your immune system:

• Bhujangasana – Also known as the Cobra Pose.
• Matsyasana – Sometimes referred to as the Fish Pose.
• Setu Bandha Sarvangasana Bridge Pose

Inversion Poses

With an inversion pose, your heart will be above your head. This boosts circulation, which is extremely helpful in the cold winter months. The following poses help achieve this aim:

• Viparita Karani – This is the Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose.
• Supported Headstand – This is best left for advanced practitioners.

Even simple twists that get your body moving, while improving your digestion and helping to detox your body, will leave you in better condition to face a harsh winter.

At Ready Sweat Go, we know small changes can have a big impact. As I write this, we’re experiencing pleasant weather in mid-September. Life feels better when it’s sunny, but the reality is that it will be colder and wetter before too long.

Implementing simple yoga poses will help you face autumn and winter with more confidence and optimism.

Resources:

Yoga for immunity: https://www.ndtv.com/health/immunity-yoga-asanas-to-boost-your-immunity-for-the-winter-3566122

Yoga to boost immunity: https://www.vidhiberi.com/blog/Easy-Yoga-Asanas-To-Boost-Immunity-Especially-During-Winter-Season

Winter wellness: https://www.ish.org.uk/winter-wellness-how-to-maintain-physical-and-mental-well-being-during-the-winter/