hostmelissa
11-23-2008, 07:09 PM
Yoga can very effectively increase your defense against colds, flu and illness in general by stimulating the organs and glands of the immune system. They include the thymus, spleen, lymphatic system and digestive system.
Thymus
The thymus is located right around the heart center just behind the breast bone or sternum. Hormones produced by this organ stimulate the production of certain infection-fighting cells. In yoga, poses that open up the heart center such as cobra, bridge pose and camel can stimulate the thymus gland.
Spleen
The spleen is located on the left hand side of the abdominal cavity just underneath the left lung. The spleen is an immunologic filter of blood. It helps to fight infections and removes unwanted materials from the blood. Yoga poses that put pressure on the spleen either by lying face down on the ground or through twists can help stimulate the spleen.
The Lymphatic System
Lymph nodes pump lymph fluid and are found throughout the body with major centers in the arm-pits and groin. Think of the lymphatic system as a garbage disposal system that picks up intruders and eliminates them from the body. Since lymph fluid travels upward against gravity, yoga poses that invert the body can encourage the flow of lymph throughout the body.
The Digestive System
Ayurveda, yoga's natural system of medicine, states that states that the health of the digestive system is the single most important long-term determinant of health and well-being. When the digestive system is not functioning efficiently toxins accumulate and seep out into the body rather than being eliminated. Toxins in the stomach create phlegm and move up into the lungs and lymphatic system. Toxins in the small intestine create acid and move up into the liver and blood. Yoga poses that stimulate the digestive system, such as twists therefore contribute to a healthy immune system.
Check out my new yoga video, Yoga Immunity Boost (http://www.melissawest.com/index-16.html).
Thymus
The thymus is located right around the heart center just behind the breast bone or sternum. Hormones produced by this organ stimulate the production of certain infection-fighting cells. In yoga, poses that open up the heart center such as cobra, bridge pose and camel can stimulate the thymus gland.
Spleen
The spleen is located on the left hand side of the abdominal cavity just underneath the left lung. The spleen is an immunologic filter of blood. It helps to fight infections and removes unwanted materials from the blood. Yoga poses that put pressure on the spleen either by lying face down on the ground or through twists can help stimulate the spleen.
The Lymphatic System
Lymph nodes pump lymph fluid and are found throughout the body with major centers in the arm-pits and groin. Think of the lymphatic system as a garbage disposal system that picks up intruders and eliminates them from the body. Since lymph fluid travels upward against gravity, yoga poses that invert the body can encourage the flow of lymph throughout the body.
The Digestive System
Ayurveda, yoga's natural system of medicine, states that states that the health of the digestive system is the single most important long-term determinant of health and well-being. When the digestive system is not functioning efficiently toxins accumulate and seep out into the body rather than being eliminated. Toxins in the stomach create phlegm and move up into the lungs and lymphatic system. Toxins in the small intestine create acid and move up into the liver and blood. Yoga poses that stimulate the digestive system, such as twists therefore contribute to a healthy immune system.
Check out my new yoga video, Yoga Immunity Boost (http://www.melissawest.com/index-16.html).