6 yoga postures that can relieve the symptoms of fever

Fever is the body’s immune system response to viral infection. While fever is typically caused by a bacterial and viral infection, other environmental factors and medical condition can also lead to fever. It is characterised by elevated body temperature, sore throat, body ache, headache and sometimes even runny nose.

Deep breathing techniques and postures in yoga can lower your body temperature and alleviate discomfort. It boosts your immune system, clears congestion and helps you breathe easier. Regular practice of yoga vastly improves your immunity against possible infections and helps you stay healthy. Here are 6 home remedies tat can help relieve fever.

Nadi shodhan pranayama

The nadi shodhan pranayama has a very relaxing effect on the nervous system, which in turn can turn can bring your body temperature to normal. It is a simple breathing technique which cleanses the respiratory and circulatory systems. This pranayama is especially beneficial to deal with headaches.

Steps to do the pose:

• Sit comfortably with your spine erect and shoulders relaxed.
• Place your left hand on your left knee and your palms open to the sky.
• Now place the tip of your index finger and middle finger of your right hand in between your eyebrows. Place your ring finger and middle finger on left nostril and your thumb on the right nostril. You are to use the ring finger and the little finger to open and close the left nostril and thumb for the right nostril.
• Press your thumb gently on the right nostril and breathe out through the left nostril.
• Now inhale from the left nostril and press the left nostril gently with your ring and little finger. Removing the right thumb from the right nostril, exhale through the right.
• Again breathe in from the right nostril and exhale from the left to complete one round of nadi shodhan pranayama. Continue breathing in and breathing out from alternate nostrils.
• Complete 9 rounds of alternatively breathing through the nostrils. Make sure you keep your eyes closed while you do the pranayama. You can perform the pranayama 2-3 times a day.

Shitali pranayama

The word ‘shitali’ means cooling down in Sanskrit and this pranayama is meant to cool down your entire body. In this breathing technique, air is inhaled through the mouth and exhaled through the nostrils. This action of inhaling through the mouth cools down the entire body and relaxes the central nervous system curing fever.

Steps to do the pose:

• Sit in sukhasana or padmasana, with your body and hands placed the same way as in Rechak-puraka Pranayam. Bring your tongue forward such that it is pressed against your teeth from inside your mouth. Part your lips such that your teeth are visible.
• Now, inhale air through your mouth in such a way that the air is passed all over your tongue. Inhale as much air as you can in your lungs.
• Once your lungs are filled with air, exhale the air through your nostrils gradually.
• Repeat the entire practice ten times.

Anulom vilom pranayama

Shri Shri Ravi Shankar, the founder of The Art of Living, describes Anulom Vilom Pranayama as an energy channel that cleanses and purifies your entire body. It can help relieve a cold which is a symptom of fever by stimulating the inner mucosal lining.

Steps to do the pose:

• Cross your legs and sit into the padmasana pose
• Now place one hand with the palms facing the ceiling. Place the thumb of your other hand on one nostril and fold the index finger.
• Keep the ring finger extended so that it can be used to close the other nostril.
• Now inhale deeply through one nostril while keeping the other one closed with your finger. Now, open the other nostril and close the one you breathed in with and exhale. This is one cycle.
• To start the next cycle, breathe in through the same nostril that you exhaled out of and repeat the process.
• Remember not to slouch or raise your shoulders while breathing in. Also, breathe in deeply using your lungs and try not to allow the air to fill in your stomach.

Kapalbhati pranayama

The passive inhalations and forceful exhalations in kapalbhati pranayama help clear nasal passages. With this breathing technique, you can release 80 percent toxins from your body while you exhale.

Steps to do the pose:

• Sit comfortably on your yoga mat. Keep your spine erect and your palms on your knees facing downwards.
• Now exhale through your nose and pull your stomach in towards your spine. When you loosen your stomach muscles you will automatically breathe in. Quickly contract your stomach muscles again and exhale.
• Do this initially about 50 times; you can increase the number of repetitions as you feel more comfortable with the practice.
• After doing this form of breathing, you will initially feel some soreness around the muscles of your stomach and abdomen.

Sarvangasana or headstand

An inverted posture like sarvangasana can open the nasal passage and improve drainage. It can also improve blood circulation and raise your energy levels.  Here are 8 yoga asanas to beat asthma.

Steps to do the pose:

• Lie on a yoga mat with your legs extending outwards. Now slowly raise your legs either by first folding them at the knees or by lifting them straight.
• Place your palms along your back and hips to support it, and raise your body while pointing your toes to the ceiling.
• All your weight should be on your shoulders. Make sure you breathe slowly and lock your chin into your chest.
• Your elbows should be touching the floor and your back should be supported. Hold this pose for as long as you are comfortable.
• To return to the lying position, slowly lower your body. Do not fall back to the lying position.

Matsyasana or fish pose

Matsyasana or the fish pose help to extend the chest and the lungs giving you an increased breathing capacity. It also helps you beat body ache and fatigue associated with fever. You can also beat stress and fatigue with this yoga pose.

Steps to do the pose:

• Lie flat on the floor with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
• Now straighten your legs, place your arms on either side. Now raise your hips, one side at a time and place your hands under each hip.
• Bend your elbows and push your upper body off the floor; remember to exhale as you do this. Only raise your chest, and tilt your head backwards.
• Hold this pose for five counts and inhale as
• you rest your back on the floor.

Originally published on www.thehealthsite.com