As we continue to reel under the impact of the pandemic, stress, and anxiety among patients as well as the ones who are trying hard to escape the clutches of the virus have increased manifold. The disease and the Covid-induced isolation are not only affecting patients’ physical health but also taking a toll on their emotional health. And now, with a third wave expected soon the only option we are left with is to put our health before everything else. So how do we do that?

Yoga can be very instrumental in bringing back the body balance and improve the overall wellbeing of people even after COVID. Many COVID patients experience extreme fatigue, breathlessness, muscle and joint pain for a bit longer than expected, making it difficult to carry out the day-to-day task. Yoga can alleviate these problems and help people recovery better. It can be particularly useful in allaying fears and anxiety.

With the International Day of Yoga slated for Monday this year, let’s commit to restore our health and build a better defense against the virus. The theme of this year’s Yoga Day is “Yoga for well-being”, which emphasizes its ability to promote the holistic health of every individual. But before that let’s understand the scientific value of yoga for the human body

• Improves posture, flexibility, and muscle strength: Long hours of work can cause backache and even back problems. Practicing certain yoga asanas could help you in improving your posture and also prevent pain in your neck and lower back. Yoga can not only help you in increasing your flexibility but also let you perform complex asanas. It also helps in toning which prevents frequent straining of the muscles.

• Boosts metabolism: Yoga helps in retaining the vitality in your body along with keeping it fit. It motivates you towards healthy eating and improves the metabolic system of the body.

• Helps in lowering blood sugar: Evidences are there to believe that yoga not only helps in lowering blood sugar but also lowers bad cholesterol and boosts good cholesterol. It encourages weight loss and improves the body’s sensitivity to insulin.

• Increases blood flow: The relaxation exercises in yoga regulates blood to all parts of your body. Exercises such as handstand help venous blood from the lower part of the body to flow back to your heart, where it can be pumped back to the lungs to be oxygenated.

• Keep diseases at bay: Yoga exercises have a beneficial effect on the immune system. It boosts our immunity to fight off diseases.

Yoga is more than just a form of exercise. The word yoga itself means “union” in Sanskrit. Union among all aspects of your life. When you live in a state of union, or yoga, there is no separation between your thoughts and your present state.

• Choose a convenient time
• Choose a comfortable place to practice on a relatively empty stomach
• Keep your yoga wear simple
• Warm-up before doing intense yoga postures
• It is your own body; be gentle on it
• Be consistent
• Make yoga time as ‘family fun time’
• Include a variety of yoga techniques
• Cooling-down after doing intense yoga posture and/or long session

Remember, practicing yoga helps develop the body and mind, yet is not a substitute for medicine. “Yoga is not a panacea or cure-all measure. So, Yoga shouldn’t be done alone, rather it should be done as part of our regular exercise program and daily activities. Like everything on Earth, Yoga has some adverse effects and all Aasanas are not recommended for everyone. Persons with pre-existing diseases should always consult doctors before starting Yoga. Let’s not make yoga our style statement. Let’s make it an integral part of our healthy lifestyle”-  Prof. (Dr.) Kshetra Madhab Das Consultant Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist

About the author- Prof. (Dr.) Kshetra Madhab Das Consultant Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist