Yoga Poses to Relieve Sinus and Respiratory Issues
Sinus/ Respiratory Issues.
There is said to be a direct correlation with the sinus cavities and the hips/pelvis region. Poses to open up hips:
Figure Four at the Wall
- Lie on your back near a wall, with your legs up the wall.
- Bend your knees so your feet are flat against the wall.
- Cross your right ankle over your left knee and keep your right foot flexed.
- Press your left foot firmly into the wall. Interlace your hands behind your left knee, or let them rest on the floor beside you.
- Keeping your sacrum (the bony area on the back of your pelvis) on the floor, slowly move your left foot down the wall. As you do, your left knee should naturally move toward your chest.
- Pause when you feel a stretch in your hips and glutes. Hold for at least five breaths (or work up to two minutes per side). Release the stretch and repeat on your left side.
Cobblers Pose
- Begin seated in Staff Pose (Dandasana) with your legs outstretched straight in front of you.
- Bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together as you let your knees fall out to either side.
- Draw your feet in as close to your body as is comfortable. Back off if you feel any pain in your knees.
- Press the outer edges of your feet together strongly. The feet may begin to open like a book. You can encourage this with your hands or hold onto your big toes in a yogi toe lock.
- Sit up tall with a long spine while keeping your shoulder blades on your back and your shoulders moving away from your ears.
- Modification: Sit on the edge of blanket to raise tailbone off floor, before bringing soles of feet together.
Pose that begins to open up the chest and lungs:
Bridge Pose
- Lying on your back, bend both knees and place feet flat on floor, hips with a part. Slide arms beside your body, and try to touch the back of your heels with your middle finger.
- Relax the palms down to the floor.
- Inhale and begin to press shoulders and feet into the floor as you lift your hips up.
- Lightly squeeze inner thighs toward each other.Roll one shoulder slightly under then the other and feel the chest start to lift. Keep legs engaged. Chin is slightly lifted.
- Breathe and hold position for 4-8 breathes.
- To release, exhale and slowly roll the spine down to the floor.
Variation: Interlace hands underneath while chest and hips are lifted.