YOGA FOR NASAL CONGESTION

Introduction

Nasal congestion is the blockage of the nasal passages usually due to excessive secretion of mucus that is caused by a virus and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. Nasal congestion is a painful condition in which the nasal membranes swell and thus block the passages to nose. The swelling of the nasal membrane is due to the expansion of blood vessels. The expansion of blood vessel can be due to infection caused by germs, pollen grains, and various food items. This disease can attack people of any age; newborn babies are also attacked by nasal congestion. Sometimes this disease becomes so severe in young children that it even causes death.

The worst affect of nasal congestion is that patient finds difficulty not only in breathing, but also in speaking, hearing, etc. In fact people suffering from nasal congestion finds difficult in sleeping. Some times it leads to heart attack as the patient is unable to inhale sufficient oxygen through nose. This article will explain every aspect of nasal congestion, its causes and effective home remedies. Nasal congestion no doubt is troubling and very upsetting. There are plenty of simple ayurvedic and yoga treatments for nasal congestion. Even restful poses like Savasana (Corpse Pose) aren't easy when you're congested, so instead of lying flat, support your back on a bolster running lengthwise from your lower spine to your head, with a folded blanket under the head and neck if needed.

Yoga and Nasal Congestion

Yoga is a general term for spiritual disciplines in Hinduism and is directed towards attaining higher consciousness and liberation from ignorance and suffering. More specifically it is also the name of one of the six orthodox systems of Hindu philosophy. Both Vedic and Buddhist literature discuss the doctrines of wandering ascetics in ancient India who practiced various kinds of austerities and meditation. Increased allergy symptoms indicate that your immune system is working overtime. A stuffy nose, ears and sinuses, inflamed eyes, headaches, sore throat and difficulty breathing are all caused by the mucus-producing process of the immune system attacking innocuous invaders. Practicing any yoga posture in a relaxing way with slow deep breathing and the intention to let go and relax the nervous system can be very beneficial in decreasing the symptoms of allergies. Yoga provides freshness to the mind and the body. The breathing exercise opens the nostrils and provides space so that one can breathe comfortably and there is no struggle for breath. If there is any blockage which causes the voice to be affected then breathing exercises helps to clear off the blockages in the throat region and helps to make the voice clear for the recipient. It provides relief from sneezing and coughing.

YOGA POSES FOR NASAL CONGESTION

Dog Pose

The Child's Pose is a beginner yoga pose that stretches the muscles of the low back, as well as the inner thighs. For those with tight back and hip muscles, this will, of course, feel like work. But get beyond the tension and Child's Pose is deeply relaxing. It promotes flexibility, stress relief and helps circulation to the muscles, joints and disks of the back.

Pigeon Pose

Yoga Pigeon Pose stretches the thighs, groins, back, and opens the chest and shoulders. It reduces stiffness and increases flexibility. The full pose is suitable for intermediate yoga practitioners.

Cat Pose

Rest on knees and palms just below shoulders. Hold your spine as straight as possible and look forward. Crouch inwards trying to round the spine and gaze at navel. Exhale while doing this and take a couple of breaths here. Come back to original position inhaling. Now go forward to the cow stretch from here, by dropping the back and lifting head as much as possible. Return to the original position after a couple of breaths while exhaling.

Camel Pose

The Camel Yoga Pose helps stretch the front of the body including the chest, abdomen, and quadriceps. It improves spinal flexibility.

Fish Yoga Pose

Fish yoga pose extends your chest, reduces nasal congestion and sinus problems. It stimulates Thyroid and Parathyroid glands as well.

Crocodile Pose

Yoga Crocodile Pose resembles a crocodile resting in the ocean. It is good for relaxation. This pose can be performed before or after Cobra Pose. It promotes sleep; clear nasal congestion regulates blood pressure and reduces anxiety.

Rabbit Pose Yoga

Rabbit pose is the ultimate spinal tension tamer. It can be perform after doing child pose. This pose helps bring blood to your brain, relieves nasal congestion, massage your thyroid and compress the throat.

Corpse Pose

You need to lie down on your back on a carpet with feet and palms comfortably away from the body. Starting from toes, concentrate on each organ of body in order to relax fully. Let your breaths calm down automatically. Relax in this position for 10-15 minutes.

YOGA ASANAS FOR CERVICAL SPONDYLOLYSIS

MATSYASANA

This asana is very useful for persons suffering from chronic cough, bronchial asthma, congestion, infected tonsils and other respiratory disorders. Problems relating to thyroid and para-thyroid glands can also be overcome be done to derive the full of Sarvangasana.it is recommended that you breath while holding it for between two and four minutes. If you are uncomfortable breathing, hold the posture for the duration of the inhaled breath. Repeat two or three times.

Steps

Sit with your legs fully stretched out. Bend each leg at the knees and place your feet on the other hip joint. Both the heels are adjusted in such a way that each presses the adjacent portion of the abdomen. This forms the foot-lock in a sitting position.
Bend backwards and, exhaling, rest your weight on the elbows. Push your neck backwards and slightly rise the hip upward thus making an arch of the spine.
Then, by making hooks of the forefingers, hold your toes on the corresponding side without crossing your arms. This posture should be maintained for some time with slow and deep breathing.
For reverting to the original position, release the foot-lock and return to the supine position by lowering the arch.

SHIRSHASANA

Shirshaasana is also called the king of the yoga poses. The practice in which the navel is above and the palate below, the Sun above and the Moon below is known as Viparitakarani (topsy turvy pose), it can be learnt from the words uttered by a Guru. On the first day one should remain for a very short time with one's head below and feet above. The duration of this practice should be gradually increased day by day.

Steps

Sit on soles. place knees on the ground.
Frame finger lock with both hands.
Making a triangle from finger-lock and elbows, place it on ground.
Now straighten your legs.
Slowly bring the legs neck your body.
Soles will automatically leave the ground by practice and thighs knees will touch the abdomen.
Now keeping the balance straighten your legs from thigh-joint, knees will remain folded.
Now straighten the knees also and completely balance your body on head.
While returning to the original position fold your knee first. Then fold your legs from thigh and let the thigh and knee touch your abdomen.
Now slowly place the soles on the ground. Slowly raise your head also and sit on soles.

SARVANGASANA

The Sarvanga Asana is one of the most treasured asanas, said to benefit the whole body. In this asana the whole body weight rests on the shoulders and the neck and upper back regions are stretched to the limit. Beginners should practice the sarvanga asana in a moderate way and gradually attempt the full posture.

Steps

Lie straight, on your back on the floor. Palms should be on the floor close to the body and the heels and the toes should be together.
Inhale and raise both the legs slowly up in a vertical position (at 90o). Raising of the legs should be synchronized with the breathing.
Exhale and again raise the legs upward from the second position. Bring both palms underneath the hips and should be used to assist in raising the body upwards. The hands should always work as a support to the body weight.
Try to raise the body as straight as possible.
At the final stage of this asana you will be resting on your shoulders, chin touching the chest. In this position the legs should be stiff hard and together and the toes is pointing towards the ceiling. Do not shake. Be firm and keep breathing normally.
Remain in this position for about 30 seconds on the first day.
For returning to the first position, first fold the legs on the knees. Your heels should be now on the thighs and above the buttock. Then slowly let the body return to the floor while the palms are supporting the body weight.
Now stretch out the legs forwards and relax. You have completed one round of the Sarvanga Asana.

Diseases Related to Taurus
Ageusia	Spondylolysis	Influenza
Nasal-Congestion	Tonsillitis	Pyorrhea