Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Boost Your Immunity


Thymus gland
  • produces T cells
  • overtime it shrinks, no longer producing cells but still stimulating the immune system
  • stress hormones shrink the thymus gland
  • located in chest

Lymph nodes and spleen
  • the T cells/lymphocites go to the lymph nodes and trap foreign particles – located in groins and armpits
  • spleen removes old red blood cells and acts as filter – located in upper left quadrant of abdomen

Inversions
  • increase circulation of the lymphatic system improving the flow of the system

If you get sick
  • couch yoga if you are running a fever
  • inversions if you are congested

Sequence
Adho Mukha Virasana
  • arms extending overhead stimulates the lymph nodes in armpits
  • support to extend time in pose
Adho Mukha Svanasana
  • head down helps congestion
  • support to extend time in pose

Uttanasana
  • head down helps congestion
Shoulder and chest sequence
  • relieves stress in neck and shoulders
  • opens the chest
  • stimulates the lymph nodes in the armpits

Uttanasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Adho Mukha Virasana

Bhujangasana – Cobra Pose
  • chest opener
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
  • chest opener
Paschimottanasana
  • supported for extended stay in pose
  • stress reducer
Janu Sirsasana
  • supported for extended stay in pose
  • stress reducer
Upavista Konasana
  • stimulates lymph nodes in groin
Baddha Konasana
  • stimulates lymph nodes in groin
Supta Baddha Konasana
  • stimulates lymph nodes in groin
  • reduces stress
  • show how to support to extend length in pose
Marichyasana I
  • stimulates spleen and lymph nodes
Viparita Karani – Legs up the wall pose
  • inversion – improves flow of the immune system