Yoga For When You Are Sick

For me, the practice of yoga is all about listening. You might be saying “DUHHH ADRIENE, DUH” right now but I say this because sometimes we forget to listen. We go to class, we do what we are told, we check it off the to do list and we keep going and going and going.

For me, the practice of truly listening to the mind, the body and the heart is what leads us to dance on the path of wellness and well being.

When we are truly listening to our body we are able to find what feels good, keep the system happy and balanced, and immunity boosted up high. Listening is paying attention and when you are paying attention you are less likely to let shit get out of hand and less likely to get ill.

HOWEVER, it happens, and if you are anything like me you waste a lot of energy trying to figure out HOW you got sick (“WHY GOD WHY, WHY NOW!?”)  instead of focusing energies on acceptance and nurturing yourself back to well being. 

We’ve been getting a lot of emails from people who are sick with winter colds and other ick. You can practice this sequence when you are feeling sick OR when you are just feeling down and need a little nurture to the system. Whether immunity is down, the heart is heavy or the mind is a muck – it is important to remember to listen and to nurture. Practice this sequence or use it as a rubric. Listen to your body and remember to REST. Rest for heavens sake!

Adriene’s top 5 immune boosting reminders:

1. Drink lots of water – this seems like a no brainer but really, if you are starting to feel sick, HYDRATE! And stay hydrated.
2. Make sure you are getting enough sleep
3. Cut the caffeine and booze.
4. Practice healing affirmations
5. Wellness Formula. I swear by this. Take on the onset or once a day as a preventive.