Sunday, June 12, 2011

Allergies

Allergies happen when your body reacts to foreign substances like pollen or animal dander. You can either choose to avoid exposure or change how your body reacts. It's easier to avoid being around animals than it is to avoid pollen, as it's in the air all around us.

One way that I've found that helps me be less reactive to pollen is through yogic breathing exercises, specifically "alternate nostril breathing" and "breath of fire." With alternate nostril breathing you close off one nostril, using your thumb and forefinger of one hand, exhale through the open nostril and then  inhale, and then switch sides, exhaling first then inhaling. Breathe gently and slowly, trying not to make a sound. Gradually increase the length of the exhale in relation to the inhale. Do it for 3-5 minutes to start, you should feel it become very relaxing. Breathe normally for a few breaths and try the "breath of fire" by inhaling through both nostrils and let the air out in short audible puffs through both nostrils, about 5 times and then exhale any remaining breath and repeat a few times. This is excellent for clearing your sinuses.

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