Yoga for the Common Cold

By Erica Harris

With all the talk of the flu and and colds starting to rear its ugly head in the workplace and at school, what can the healthy conscious do?  Even after taking vitamins, eating healthy, and exercising, we still might contract a virus.  For many years I used to suffer with the "strep throat" virus, or Streptococcus bacteria.  Common symptoms are: difficulty shallowing, general discomfort in the throat area, swelling or reddening in the throat, or fever that begins suddenly.  One of the purest ways to temporarily relieve pain is by ingesting honey or hot tea with honey.  A woman I used to work with swore by Organic Throat Coat ®.  Its a little thicker than most teas and has a licorice flavor.  The tea is a soothing blend of organic licorice root  [PhEur] 760 mg, Organic slippery elm bark  [USP] 80 mg, Organic licorice root dry aqueous extract (8:1) 60 mg, Organic marshmallow root  [PhEur] 60 mg. Another way to alleviate throat discomfort is through yoga. For example, go to a quiet place and come into lion pose (see below). You can sit with legs crossed if this is more comfortable, or on the back of the heels. Place the hands on the knees (palms down) and fingers outstretched.  Imagine that all the new breath is flowing through the crown of your head, down the throat, into the belly, and shooting out the fingertips.  Open the mouth nice and wide, sticking out the tongue and say "haaaaaaaaaa" (just like at the doctor's office).  Try looking upwards or between the eyes (but without crossed eyes)  Why does it work?  Not only does this pose prevent the signs of aging by tightening the neck and sliming the facial muscles, it also releases the muscle in the throat.  Many professional singers use this pose to preserve their voices and to literally exercise their vocal cords. In ancient tests, it is said that lion pose destroys diseases and promotes immediate well-being.  Its best to perform this pose at the first onset of a sore throat (but it can be down later too).