Sinusitis is a widespread condition affecting many in the urban areas. Know more about this ailment and how Yoga asanas and pranayama can help treat it.
Many employees these days work their fingers to the bone to survive in this dynamic corporate world. They often find maintaining a work-life balance a demanding task. As a result, they pay less heed to their health and environmental conditions.
Sinusitis, being a lifestyle disease, can be prevented if proper health and environmental conditions are taken care of. High levels of air pollution in urban cities is one of the crucial reasons of Sinusitis. Smoking cigars is also known to aggravate inflamed membranes in the nose and sinus.
Furthermore, the ailment in question is also a by-product of the ‘Fast Food - Fast Life’ syndrome that comes with a heavy price. In order to assess the seriousness of the situation, we first need to look at the cause and effect relationship between the organ and the disease.
To begin with, sinuses are cavities within a bone connected to nasal system. Typically, these cavities are located in-between the eyes, just below the forehead, around the nose and, the area between the nose and the cheeks. Ordinarily, when an infection or allergy sets in, mucus/pus accumulates in this area. This can occur because of pollution, changing environmental conditions, stress, and depression. The infection leads to an inflammation in the sinus region filled with mucus, resulting in various symptoms such as pain, disturbed sleep, running nose, and headache. Periodically, the aforementioned condition can lead to a chronic situation, which could be more severe in nature.
The situation might appear intimidating but the solution for it is elegantly simple. In order to eradicate the ailment from our bodily system, we can use a combination of yoga and pranayam techniques:
Jala Neti*: Jal neti can be done using saline water and a utensil with a beak. Fill water in this vessel and place the beak inside one of your nostrils. Tilt your head in a manner that water enters one nostril and comes out from the other. Ensure that you use your mouth to breathe during this process.
Repeat the same on the other side.
As a precautionary measure, Nadishodan must be done to ensure that no water remains in either nostril.
Sutra neti*: Begin by inserting the softer tip of the sutra (thread) into one nostril, extending it down your throat and removing it from the other nostril. Repeat the same with the other nostril.
*This should be done under the supervision of an expert.
Anulom Vilom Pranayam:
Step 1: Sit in any comfortable posture.
Step 2: Begin with closing your right nostril and inhale with your left nostril.
Step 3: Close your left nostril and exhale with your right nostril.
Step 4: Inhale with your right nostril, close your right nostril, and exhale with your left nostril.
The four-step process makes one cycle. Try to complete 25 cycles.
- Kapalabhati:
Step 1: Sit in any comfortable posture.
Step 2: Begin with softly exhaling. Do not consciously inhale. Focus only on exhaling your breath.
Use your stomach muscles for this process.
- Bhramari pranayam:
Step 1: Sit in any comfortable posture with your eyes closed.
Step 2: Close your earlobes with your respective thumbs and bring the tip of your tongue to upper palate and inhale.
Step 3: As you exhale, make a nasal sound. It must sound like a humming bee.
Ensure that your mouth is closed.
Repeat this process fifteen times, twice a day.
- As far as yoga asanas are concerned, avoid holding forward, bending, or back bending asanas for a long time. Go slow.
Below are the asanas that may give you relief:
1) Paschimottanasana (or Seated Forward Bend Pose)
How to get into the posture:
In this asana, the posterior part of the whole body, from your head to your heels, should be fully stretched.
Step 1: Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out forward. Place your palms on the floor by the sides of your hips.
Step 2: Deeply inhale.
Step 3: Exhale, bend forward, and hold your heels with your respective hands
Step 4: Try to hold the exhaled breath.
Step 4: Now, inhale and come up. Release your hands and be in a normally seated posture.
Breathing Methodology:
a) Inhale in the starting position. Exhale slowly while bending forward. Try to hold the exhaled breath while in the posture.
b) Inhale in the starting position. Exhale slowly while bending forward. Try to hold the exhaled breath while in the posture.
2) Parvathasana: (Mountain pose)
How to get into the posture:
Step 1: Begin with samasthiti.
Step 2: Place palms on the floor beside your feet.
Step 3: Move both feet backwards, lifting the hips up, straightening the knees and elbows, and pushing yourself into the downward dog pose thus forming an inverted V-shape.
Step 4: Lift your heels up to the sky.
Step 5: Place your head between your arms such that the back and legs form a mountain type shape.
Position of your arms:
a) Place your palms shoulder-distance apart on the floor, with your elbows straight.
Breathing Methodology:
Exhale as you bend forward from Samasthithi and push your feet back.
Advantages:
a) Strengthens nerves and muscles in the hands, legs, and back.
b) Strengthens nerves and muscles in the hands, legs, and back.
c) Stimulates blood circulation.
People who must avoid the asana:a
a) Those who are recovering from surgery
b) Those who are recovering from surgery
c) Pregnant women
Most physical ailments can be solved with the help of yoga. Live a happy and healthy life; practise yoga every day.
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YourStory.)
