Yoga for Fighting Coronavirus

The difficult coronavirus days will no doubt pass just like how everything else did but in the meanwhile, we have to make sure that everything is clean and sanitized, follow the social distancing, stay hopeful and keep our spirits high.

However, can we fight the coronavirus with a smile? We asked Manal El Attar, the first Egyptian laughter teacher of yoga, a few questions regarding the laughter yoga and the coronavirus.

[caption id="attachment_121580" align="aligncenter" width="886"] A teacher of yoga Manal El Attar[/caption]

• Can the yoga fight the coronavirus?

El Attar answered: medically, Oxygen is the most important element in the respiration process but due to the exhaustion and negative spirits; the Oxygen levels decrease in the blood while the Carbon dioxide levels increase which leads to us feeling anxious and worried. That is why the inhalation period during the yoga practice is longer than the exhalation period to provide the body with more clean air and Oxygen. Also, during the laughing process the inhalation period is longer seeing as there is a direct relation between the mental state and the breathing pattern; if a person is stressed, then his breathing becomes irregular and erratic on the other hand if a person is calm and at peace, then his breathing becomes regular and deep. Thus, laughter yoga can fight the coronavirus because it raises the person’s spirits and puts him a better lighter mood.

[caption id="attachment_121583" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Laughter Yoga Course[/caption]

• How can the yoga improve immunity?

The teacher answered: Laughter yoga improves the immunity and protects the body against the different viruses. From our experience with the regulars at the laughter club, we found that they do not suffer from the flu, cough or any kind of respiration diseases, which proves that their immunity is stronger. Therefore, regularly practicing laughter yoga leads to a strong and disease fighting body.

• What kind of yoga exercises should we do?

The most important kind of yoga exercises are the deep breathing exercises, known asPranayama, that you can do alone and at home to improve your mental health and your overall health. There is no doubt that the smile and the high spirits are our hope for a healthier future.

Contributed by Sara Goda