IT'S HERE! The warm weather has arrived! Finally, I know right? After long dark nights where the temperature dropped below forty degrees (Fahrenheit, if only it were Celsius), the sun has come. The sun brought a few friends to the summer party, leaves and flowers. Leaves and flower, while they may be absolutely gorgeous, come with a not so pretty gift, POLLEN! Now every morning I wake up, my nose is congested and there is phlegm everywhere, sorry TMI, but it happens. Thankfully, there's a non medicinal relief to all this congestion. There are a few poses that can bring relief to this allergy season, which in return will allow you to enjoy the sun and maybe go to the beach (must take me).
POSES FOR ALLERGY RELIEF
1.) Fish pose
Fish pose clears your nasal passages and lungs. For fish pose, lay on you back. Then place the tippy top of your head on the floor. Doing this action will then cause your thoracic spine, the middle of the back to arch upwards and pull all the way to the ceiling.
2.) Supported Shoulder Stand
This inversion, opens the nasal passageway, in return breathing is no longer an obstacle, sounds good right?
Lay on your back. place your hands, fingers face up, on your lower ribs. Then, shimmy your shoulders underneath and lift your legs off of the ground while keeping your head on the mat. Pull your belly button in towards your spine, while trying to get your ankles in line with your hips.
3.)BREATHING
Probably the most important allergy relief pose. Breathing or pranayama increases your lung capacity, which like shoulder stand allows you to breath more efficiently and easier.
Sit in sukasasana, cross legged position, with good posture, no slouching! Inhale through the nose and exhale through the nose while simultaneously constricting the throat. The result should be an oceanic sound (ujjayi pranayama/breath).
I hope all of these asana/ pose suggestions will help relieve the symptoms of those horrid allergies. On a positive note, one benefit, I just thought of this of having allergies, is that you get an excuse to do yoga! I hope to see you soon outside enjoying the flowers and getting some necessary vitamin D!
(http://www.yogajournal.com/article/health/yoga-poses-seasonal-allergy-relief/)