Of boosting immunity in the yogic process: Master of Yoga Dr. Siddhartha Kumar Sharma

A CORRESPONDENT

DHUBRI: During the lockdown period to keep coronavirus at bay, one needs to boost one’s immunity and also remain strong – psychologically. This is the cue from Dr Siddhartha Kumar Sharma, N.D., Y.D., Master of Yoga Shastra, now practising yoga in the ‘Pradnya Institute of Yoga’ at Almaty in Kazakhstan.

In an exclusive interview with The Sentinel, Dr Siddhartha Kumar Sharma suggested several tips to boost immunity.

He said, “In yogic lifestyle, one should take bath or shower with water having the normal temperature. We should avoid hot or warm water; as this decreases one’s immunity.

“A person should practise the ‘Yogic Kriyas’ like the ‘Surya Namaskar’ according to one’s physical capacity and follow up by doing the ‘Shavasana’.

“The ‘Kriyas’ include ‘Nadi Sodhan’, ‘Bhastrika’, ‘Kapalbhati’ for at least 10 minutes; ‘Apan Vayu Mudra’ (thumb finger touching head of middle and ring finger), ‘Suryabhedan’: 10 rounds; and ‘Anulomvilom’ with ‘Pran Mudra’ (thumb finger touching head of middle and little finger).”

Dr Sharma further suggested, “Omkar’ chanting and meditation with ‘Gyan Mudra’ (thumb finger touching head of index finger) is important. While practising meditation, concentrate at middle of the eyebrows i.e., ‘aagyachakra’ while being fully aware of one’s breath.

“After lunch practise ‘Yog Nidra’”, he said.

“Do ‘Neti’ with lukewarm water thrice a week; and ‘Vaman’ with lukewarm salty water daily.”

Replying to a question on Ayurvedic measures, Dr Sharma said that one should drink warm water in sufficient quantity; besides use turmeric (haldi), cumin (jeera), coriander (dhaniya) and garlic (lahsun) for cooking.

“Take ‘Golden Milk’ once or twice a day. Prepare it with half teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed in 150 ml of hot milk.

“One should, if possible, also drink butter milk (chanch) with pink salt (sendha namak) and dry ginger powder (sonth) after lunch.

“At bedtime, apply almond oil/ sesame oil / coconut oil or ghee in both the nostrils.”

Dr. Sharma also advised to “take 1 tablespoon of sesame or mustard oil in mouth. Do not swallow, swish in the mouth for two to three minutes and spit it off.

“Before brushing teeth in the morning, rinse your mouth with warm water.

“Stay healthy by occasionally drinking lemon or ginger juice or honey throughout the day.”

Dr. Sharma also advised that “during dry cough/ sore throat, one should take steam inhalation with fresh pudina (mint) or cabbage (patta govi) leaves or ajwain (caraway seeds). It can be practised once in a day.

“In case of cough or throat irritation, cinnamon (dalchini) or clove (lang) powder mixed with honey can be taken twice or thrice daily.

“All the mentioned measures are very useful to treat normal dry cough and sore throat. But if the symptoms persist then one should consult doctors,” advised Dr Sharma.

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