6 yoga poses to reduce stress and boost immunity

Thank you body; good body, wise body.

We all come to yoga for similar benefits. We strive for freedom from daily stress, mental distraction, emotional unrest, to strengthen our body, release physical tension, boost optimal health, desire connection to something bigger than ourselves, and ultimately know ourselves more fully.

A daily yoga practice is a full-spectrum remedy for vitality.

We begin with gratitude, intention setting, activated breath, physical movement, and concentration of our mind which connects us to the deeper layers of our life force.

These practices down-regulate our nervous system to make the body a place where change can happen and create a flow of energy that connects mind, body, and spirit. When these aspects of our living are in union we have a free flow of energy making an equanimous vessel for radiant life.

Here are 6 poses, activated by your breath to reduce stress, stoke a strong immune system and maintain a constant flow of life force (prana). Yoga postures married with breath create a natural filtration that moves energy, blood, and promotes organ function.

Do these poses for 2-3 min with long deep breaths to stoke full energetic flow and release.

Each breath cycle is 4 counts inhale, pause at the top, 4 counts exhale, pause at the bottom.

1. Child's pose with side body stretchDeep hip flexion compresses the lymph located at your inner thighs. When you create a compression and then release you flush fresh circulation which helps to cleanse any congestion in this area.Side body stretching opens the muscles between your ribs so your ribcage can expand and contract more fully as you breathe to create a bigger container for oxygen to move through you.

1. Child's pose with side body stretch

Deep hip flexion compresses the lymph located at your inner thighs. When you create a compression and then release you flush fresh circulation which helps to cleanse any congestion in this area.

Side body stretching opens the muscles between your ribs so your ribcage can expand and contract more fully as you breathe to create a bigger container for oxygen to move through you.

2. Saddle PoseOpening the front of your hips after the compression of child's pose allows a rush of circulation to move down your front body. Your torso and quads harbor the stomach meridian, a channel directly coordinated with digestion.

2. Saddle Pose

Opening the front of your hips after the compression of child's pose allows a rush of circulation to move down your front body. Your torso and quads harbor the stomach meridian, a channel directly coordinated with digestion.

3. Sphinx PoseBelly down upper backbend. Helps reduce anxiety and depression. Putting a gentle bend in your upper back creates energy and an uplifted nature. Helps the forward and downward energy of sitting to move in the opposite direction, creating a channel for your spine to become long and move cranial fluid from your brain and sacrum.

3. Sphinx Pose

Belly down upper backbend. Helps reduce anxiety and depression. Putting a gentle bend in your upper back creates energy and an uplifted nature. Helps the forward and downward energy of sitting to move in the opposite direction, creating a channel for your spine to become long and move cranial fluid from your brain and sacrum.

5. Reclined TwistUnwind your outer hips and spine while drawing back to center. Not only does this relieve back tension but it restores balance for your body to bear equal crossbody weight which strengthens your proprioception.

5. Reclined Twist

Unwind your outer hips and spine while drawing back to center. Not only does this relieve back tension but it restores balance for your body to bear equal crossbody weight which strengthens your proprioception.

4. Eagle poseThis balancing pose squeezes all the major pressure points at the stations of lymph in your body. A jolt of immunity boosting fluid to move through you. Also build strength in standing balance and focus your mind.

4. Eagle pose

This balancing pose squeezes all the major pressure points at the stations of lymph in your body. A jolt of immunity boosting fluid to move through you. Also build strength in standing balance and focus your mind.

6. Seated meditation with breathReturn to hOMe, bring everything together in your upright seat. Your hips are open for sitting with ease. Spine is long to flow cranial fluid from head to hips. Shoulders are oen to create a lift in your heart. Long, deep, slow breaths (4 counts in, pause at the top, 4 counts out, pause at the bottom) settle you. Then return to natural breath, easy and soft. In the complete stillness of your physical body, become aware of the dynamic movement of your energetic body..

6. Seated meditation with breath

Return to hOMe, bring everything together in your upright seat. Your hips are open for sitting with ease. Spine is long to flow cranial fluid from head to hips. Shoulders are oen to create a lift in your heart. Long, deep, slow breaths (4 counts in, pause at the top, 4 counts out, pause at the bottom) settle you. Then return to natural breath, easy and soft. In the complete stillness of your physical body, become aware of the dynamic movement of your energetic body..

Thank you body; good body wise body, robust immune system, healthy heart, open mind.

Shelby Autrey