Store Shoes

Nothing can entirely derail your daily yoga routine quite like a cold or flu. But just because you’ve caught flu-like symptoms, it does not mean that you have to stop practicing yoga. There are still some great poses that can be both gentle on the body and can help in fighting off that bug you’ve caught. 

Usually yoga is practiced with bare feet, but in this case, cozy socks are suggested to keep your feet warm.

• Supported Bridge

Here, you don’t want to push yourself too hard, so this pose uses a prop to help support your back, which may feel achy. You may also like a pillow or a blanket to help support your head. Lay down on your back and bring your legs up from the floor. Lift off with your bum and slide the block to support under the lower part of your back. 

This pose helps stimulate your lungs, digestion, and thyroids, and is a great overall restorative pose. If you want, you can adjust your back to be higher up or lower on the block by flipping it around to different levels. Do what feels best for you. 

• Plow

If your head is spinning this might be a bit too challenging, but if you want a great way to help clear up your sinuses, this pose is worth a try. Lay on your back and bend your knees, placing your hands palm-side down at the sides of your body. Push off with your hands and lift your legs to reach as far as you can (comfortably), go over your head and if possible, touch the floor behind your head with your toes. 

This pose can help with circulation and help eliminate pathogens and give a boost to your immunity. 

• Legs Up On The Wall 

It is one of the key poses that is used during a restorative yoga class. Not only does this pose ease away any stress you may be feeling from having a cold, but it is also easier on the head and nasal passages. 

Inverted poses allow for the blood to flow differently through your body and thus increase your blood circulation, which helps when you are not feeling your best. To perform this pose in the most comforting way, make sure you have a wall, a pillow, and a couple of blankets ready. 

Pushing your bum and legs to the wall so that your body forms the shape of an “L,” relax with a pillow under your head. You can also add a folded blanket under your hips, and if you get the chills cover your body with the other blanket to keep warm. Remain in this pose for as long as needed. 

• Child’s Pose

We all know this pose to offer us a break during a challenging practice, and it also has excellent restorative properties and eases tension from our aching muscles. When you are sick, you can add a pillow below your torso to aid in much-needed comfort. 

You can perform this pose with a couple of variations, placing your arms by your side and hands next to your hips, allowing for tightness in the shoulder to be released. If you maintain your legs together, you can gently massage your stomach, which is helpful if it feels a bit uneasy. 

• Wide Child’s Pose, is a great variation where you can take the pressure off your stomach by widening the legs and letting your belly come closer to the floor. If you want to stretch farther, reach your arms out in front of you and tilt your head to one side for some added relaxation. You can also place a pillow under your torso and might find yourself ready to take a nap. 

Remember, just because you do not feel your best does not mean that you have to forgo some helpful yoga moves. Try these restorative poses to get you feeling back to your normal, healthy self.