In Sickness and In Health: How your Yen Yoga and Fitness classes bolster your immunity
By Becky Kalajian
Your immune system needs all the help it can get – and every single yoga, cycling and fitness class you take is a power move against illness.
A recent survey by Mindbody says that 55% of the U.S. population is focused on health and wellness for strengthening their immune system. Another 65% report that they are more focused on health and wellness because they want to live a long and healthy life.
If this describes you, read on.
The classes you regularly take at YYF not only stem the onset of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, anxiety and depression, they also help you build strong bones while increasing your cardiovascular capacity.
But your immune system – the soldier of the body that protects you from seasonal colds, flu and other viruses – gets a potent boost, too.
Some immuno-specific benefits of your regular classes include:
Flushing bacteria out of the lungs and airways. This may reduce your chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illness.
Changing antibodies and white blood cells, which are the body's immune system cells that fight disease. These antibodies or WBCs circulate more rapidly, so they could detect illnesses earlier than they might have before.
An increased body temperature during and right after exercise may prevent bacteria from growing. This temperature rise may help the body fight infection better.
A slowing down of stress hormone release. Some stress increases the chance of illness. Lower amounts of stress hormone may protect against illness. (Source: medlineplus.gov)
How your immune system works
Your immune system is an intricate network of cells, tissues and organs that creates a barrier. Once an invader slips through the barrier, your system produces white blood cells and other chemicals to attack and destroy these invaders, even if they multiply.
Why your immune system is weak
Everything you do – sleep, eat, move and stress out – pumps your immune system or depletes it. Guess what happens when sleep, eating and stress management habits are poor? You get sick.
No pills will help you
Nope, you can’t just pop a pill and make everything better. Studies show you have three specific tools at hand to keep viruses and illness at bay:
Move: Endorphins (feel-good hormones) are increased; white blood cells function better when you move
Eat: Alcohol and sugar feed microbes that can diminish your health. When you feel less-than, go for colorful berries, citrus, kale, sweet potatoes and carrots. Fresh garlic and old-fashioned chicken soup are known to ease inflammation!
Sleep: Insomnia makes you vulnerable – your sleep time is your healing time. A dedicated yoga class with deep breathing will promote good sleep at night. Check out YYF’s online or in-person restorative yoga classes.
While we can’t promise you that you will never get sick, the science is clear: Moving, choosing good foods and getting your zzzzz’s makes your immune system sing. So, come move with us – it’s good for you!
Becky Kalajian is a yoga, mobility and fitness instructor at Yen Yoga and Fitness in Traverse City. Find her at yenyogafitness.com or YouTube, search Rebecca Kalajian.