Sinusitis is the most common disease these days and many are afflicted by it.

This can cause a chronic ailment and gets worse in winter seasons. Various

poses of yoga can help in the treatment of sinusitis and chanting the mantra

'Om' helps greatly as a part of yoga for the treatment of sinus. The vibrating

sound of the word helps treat the sinus ailment and helps the mind to focus

at one particular place.

Yoga Breathing TechniquesThe breathing exercises of yoga, especially the pranayam (Breath exercise)

of Yoga opens the ducts which aids in free breath movements and cures the

sinus ailment. These breath exercises free the nose and the tract of the

congestion and ill effects of contamination in the environment.

Yoga rejuvenates the mind and the body. The inhalation and exhalation as a

part of yoga practice creates sound vibrations which clears the nasal tract

and aids in better breathing. The air movement in the nasal passage

achieves free movement, this aids the lungs to function more effectively. It

helps to deal with the virus that block the nasal tract and reduces the

inflammation in the tract too. It helps to reduce the nasal discharge and

helps to clot the mucous in the nasal cavity so that a person is cured from a

runny nose.

Along with yoga, nasal washing with saline water helps to keep the nose and

the nostrils clean and free from any blockage in the nostrils. Breathing

exercise of yoga like Breath exercise and alternate nostril breathing can also

help in the treatment of sinus to great extent. It helps the membranes to be

free from the allergy which causes infection. Sinus also affects the eyes and

other organs of the body. It affects the facial muscles badly. Yoga helps to

provide sufficient oxygen to the muscles of the face and help to rejuvenate

them. One feels fresh and active after practicing yoga exercises and it

provides relief to the eyes also. It also provides freedom from the heaviness

of the head and there is no breath struggle in the worst case of sinus. It also

provides relief from congestion and constant sneezing.

Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) provides exercise to all the organs of the

body and nourishes the body from within so as to make it active all day long.

Pavanmuktanasana (aeroplane pose) and bhujangasana (cobra pose)

provides exercise to the upper organs of the body thereby provides relief

from the sinus and congestion in the throat region.

There is nothing worse than pain or discomfort in one's head. If you suffer

from sinus issues, you are probably aware of the importance of addressing

them at the very first warning sign. Paying attention to, and honouring your

body are essential in yoga class, and it is just as important to carry this

practice into your daily life. A dull headache, plugged ears, fatigue, and of

course the sniffles are all warning signs of sinus issues. I have personally

found that there are a few practices that, when put together, have been

quite effective at keeping things in balance.

1. Neti Pots A small pot is filled with a lukewarm saline solution, and then it

is poured into one nostril and drains out the other side. The water gently

cleanses the sinus cavities, removing mucous and relieving congestion, post-

nasal drip and sinus discomfort. If you have never tried a neti pot, and

you've had sinus issues or allergies in the past, I'm telling you here, you

have got to try one! It is not as uncomfortable as you think, and over time

you'll wonder why you hadn't tried it earlier. The Himalayan Institute is a

very reputable source for information on neti pots.

2. Asana Any physical movement when you're under the weather is going to

encourage the lymph to move along and do its job, getting you feeling

healthy again. Even if it's just a few neck and shoulder stretches, it's better

than doing nothing.

For sinuses though, more specifically, it is inversions that can really help to

get things loosened up and moving. These poses will intensify the pressure

in your head, but when you right yourself, you should feel some relief shortly

after. Give it time, and be open-minded. Positive energy is one behaviour

that I feel can prevent one from getting sick, and heal a person when they do

succumb to illness. Do each pose for about one minute. Allow yourself to

relax into the pose and try to keep your breath as smooth and steady as

possible.

Poses I recommend for Beginners:

Child's Pose (Balasana)

Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana)

Rabbit Pose (Sasangasana)

Poses I recommend for Intermediate to Advanced: If you have not tried

these poses before, I highly recommend you get assistance from a Certified

Yoga Instructor. It is very important to warm the body thoroughly before

attempting advanced inversions.

Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana)

Plow Pose (Halasana)

Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana)

3. Pranayama/Breathing Exercises: Though it may seem counter-

intuitive, breathing is another practice that can alleviate sinus discomfort.

Try the following practices with a calm and relaxed demeanor, focusing on

keeping your prana moving smoothly. You may wish to blow your nose, or

better yet, use your neti pot before you try these exercises.

Belly Breathing: Lie on your back with your knees bent and your hands on

your belly. Breathe deeply into the belly, focusing on expanding the belly

like a buddha, then draw the breath and energy up through your ribs, chest

and shoulders. Exhale the same way, deflating your belly, chest and

shoulders, and squeezing all the air out of your belly. Find your own rhythm.

Calming Breath: Sit comfortably. Bring your right hand out in front of you,

palm facing you. Fold your index and middle fingers into the palm. Place

your ring finger on your left nostril to close it off. Breathe into the right

nostril for two counts. Close off the right nostril with the thumb and hold the

breath for two counts. Release the left nostril, exhale for two counts. Close

off the left nostril and hold the breath for two counts. Try visualizing a

square. If it feels uncomfortable to hold the breath, simply pause instead.

Increase the count as you become comfortable, making sure that you are

doing equal counts for each action.

Breath of Fire: In this practice, hold your hand over your navel, and

practice forcefully exhaling out the nose repeatedly. Your belly should be

pumping in and out. The force of the exhale will naturally draw in a new

breath, so there is no need to inhale consciously. You may start this practice

by gently panting, but it is important to eventually speed up the pace of this

breath in order to stoke the "fire" of the breath.

Bridge Pose

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

Bridge Pose can be whatever you need—energizing, rejuvenating, or luxuriously restorative.

Downward-Facing Dog

Adho Mukha Svanasana

Deservedly one of yoga’s most widely recognized yoga poses, Adho Mukha Svanasana, offer the ultimate all-over, rejuvenating stretch.

Head-to-Knee Forward Bend

Janu Sirsasana

Janu Sirsasana or Head-to-Knee Forward Bend is appropriate for all levels of student and a spinal twist to boot.

Plow Pose

Halasana

Plow Pose reduces backache and can help you get to sleep.

Reclining Hero Pose

Supta Virasana

Lay Virasana back and to take the stretch in the thighs and ankles up a notch.

Seated Forward Bend

Paschimottanasana

Fold into Paschimottanasana to help a distracted mind—and your hamstrings—unwind.

Standing Forward Bend

Uttanasana

Uttanasana will wake up your hamstrings and soothe your mind.

Supported Headstand

Salamba Sirsasana

Meet the king. Standing on your head in proper alignment not only strengthens the whole body but calms the brain.

Supported Shoulderstand

Salamba Sarvangasana

This version of Shoulderstand is performed with blanket support under the shoulders.