Image Source: Engin Akyurt // Yoga For Sinus Infection
If you’re suffering from a sinus infection, you know how uncomfortable it can be. The pressure, congestion, and sinus pain in your nasal passages can make everyday life a challenge.
But did you know that yoga for sinus infection, along with other natural sinusitis home remedies like using a Neti pot (nasal irrigation), doing steam inhalation, and using herbs and essential oils, can help provide relief from sinusitis symptoms?
Yoga for sinus infection alleviates nasal congestion– allowing you to breathe easier and feel better, as well as the other exercises you should avoid when you have a sinus infection.
What are the best yoga poses for sinus infection, you ask? The best yoga poses for sinus infection include the fish pose, bridge pose, cobra pose, cow face pose, downward-facing pose, camel pose, head-to-knee pose, all limbs pose, and yoga breathing.
Best Yoga Poses For Sinus Infection
Looking for natural ways to find relief from sinus infections? Yoga for sinus infections can be a great tool to help alleviate the discomfort caused by sinus infections. As you incorporate specific yoga poses into your daily routine, you can help open up your nasal passages, improve blood circulation, and reduce sinus pressure.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, these yoga for sinus infection poses are easy to practice and can provide you with much-needed relief. Without further ado, here are the best yoga poses for sinus infections.
1. Fish Pose (Matsyasana)
Image Source: Sourav // Yoga for Sinus Infection
Matsyasana is a yoga pose that can help provide relief from sinus infections. Here’s how to do this yoga for sinus infection pose step by step:
1. Lie down on your back with your legs extended.
2. Slide your hands underneath your buttocks, palms facing down.
3. Press your forearms and elbows into the ground to lift your chest.
4. Tilt your head back and rest the crown of your head on the floor.
5. Keep your legs engaged and your toes pointing towards the ceiling.
6. Stay in this position for a couple of breaths, feeling the stretch in your throat and chest.
If you have difficulty resting your head on the ground, you can use a folded blanket or bolster to support your head. This modification will still provide the same benefits.
Fish Pose helps to improve blood circulation, releasing built-up pressure in the neck and spine. This can provide relief from sinusitis symptoms. This yoga for sinus infection pose opens up the throat and chest, allowing for better airflow and reducing congestion in the sinuses.
2. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
Image Source: Vlada Kaprovich // Yoga for Sinus Infection
Setu Bandhasana is a beginner-level Vinyasa yoga asana that resembles a bridge. It is a great pose to add to your yoga for sinus infection routine. Here’s how to do it:
1. Lie down on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground, hip-distance apart. Keep your arms relaxed by your sides, palms facing down.
2. Press your feet into the ground and lift your hips up towards the ceiling. Engage your glutes and thighs as you lift.
3. Roll your shoulders back and interlace your fingers underneath your back. Press your forearms down into the mat to lift your chest towards your chin. This will help stimulate the chest and hyoid glands.
4. Stay in this position for a few breaths, taking deep and steady breaths to promote better blood circulation. Feel the stretch in your back, chest, and neck.
5. If you have any discomfort in your neck or shoulders, you can place a folded blanket or bolster underneath your shoulders for support.
Bridge Pose is beneficial for sinusitis as it helps relieve stress in the back and neck. It also stimulates the chest and hyoid glands, promoting better blood circulation. Regular practice of this yoga for sinus infection pose can help alleviate sinus congestion and improve overall well-being.
3. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
Image Source: Sourav // Yoga for Sinus Infection
Bhujangasana is a great yoga pose for sinus infections. This yoga for sinus infection pose involves lying on your stomach, placing your head on the ground, and lifting your body up from the torso while stretching your back and belly muscles.
To do this pose, follow these steps:
1. Lie on your stomach with your legs extended behind you and your palms pressed into the ground by your ribs.
2. Relax your shoulders and gently press your pubic bone into the mat.
3. Inhale deeply and start to lift your chest off the ground, using your back muscles. Keep your elbows close to your body.
4. Straighten your arms as much as possible and lift your head up. Look forward or slightly upward.
5. Hold this pose for a couple of breaths, taking slow and deep breaths in and out through your nose.
6. To release, exhale and slowly lower your body back down to the mat.
Cobra Pose opens up the lungs, invigorates the heart, and makes breathing easier. This can provide relief for sinusitis, as it helps to improve blood flow and oxygen circulation. This yoga for sinus infection pose also stretches the chest and throat, which can alleviate congestion in the nasal passages.
Remember to go only as far as is comfortable for you and don’t strain yourself. If you have any concerns or medical conditions, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional, such as natural urgent care in Portland, before starting any new exercise routine.
4. Cow Face Pose (Gomukhasana)
Image Source: Akshay Gupta // Yoga for Sinus Infection
Gomukhasana is a yoga asana that resembles the face of a cow and can help provide relief for sinus infections. This yoga for sinus infection pose helps in opening up and improving flexibility in the air passage region, which can alleviate congestion and ease breathing difficulties.
To practice Cow Face Pose, follow these simple steps:
1. Sit on your yoga mat with your legs extended in front of you.
2. Bend your knees and slide your left foot under your right leg, placing it beside your right hip.
3. Cross your right leg over your left, bringing your right knee on top of your left knee. Try to stack the knees directly on top of each other.
4. If possible, reach your left arm up towards the ceiling and bend it at the elbow, reaching your left hand towards the upper back. Simultaneously, reach your right arm behind your back and try to interlock your fingers with your left hand.
5. If your hands cannot meet, you can use a yoga strap, towel, or even just hold onto your shirt to gently connect your hands together.
6. Sit up tall and take a few deep breaths, relaxing your shoulders and lengthening your spine. Hold the pose for a few breaths, feeling a gentle stretch in your shoulders and upper back.
7. Repeat the pose on the other side by crossing your left leg over your right and interlocking your hands in the opposite direction.
Cow Face Pose not only helps with sinusitis, but this yoga for sinus infection pose also reduces stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation. As a beginner-level Vinyasa yoga asana, you have to practice Cow Face Pose on an empty stomach to avoid any discomfort.
5. Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
Image Source: Elina Fairytale // Yoga for Sinus Infection
Adho Mukha Svanasana is a cool yoga pose that looks like a dog bending forward with its head down. This yoga for sinus infection pose is a beginner level asana in the Ashtanga and Hatha yoga styles, and it packs some awesome benefits for people with sinus infections.
To practice this pose, here are some easy steps to follow:
1. Start on your hands and knees, with your hands slightly wider than your shoulders and your knees hip-width apart.
2. Tuck your toes under and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, straightening your legs as much as you can. Imagine that you’re making a triangle shape with your body.
3. Relax your head and neck, letting it hang freely between your shoulders. Gently stretch your spine by pressing your heels toward the ground, but don’t worry if they don’t touch.
4. Focus on your breathing and take a couple of breaths in this comfortable and neutral position. Feel the stretch in your calves, hamstrings, and shoulders.
5. Hold the pose for about 1 to 3 minutes, breathing deeply and allowing the blood to flow to your nasal passages. This helps to improve blood circulation and relieve sinus pressure.
Practicing Downward-Facing Dog in the morning on an empty stomach can help clear your sinuses and bring relief from sinus infections. Not only does this yoga for sinus infection pose boost blood flow, but it also reduces stress and anxiety.
6. Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Image Source: Sourav // Yoga for Sinus Infection
Ustrasana is a beginner-level Vinyasa yoga asana that resembles the stance of a camel. This yoga for sinus infection pose is a powerful posture that can provide relief from sinus infections. Practice this pose in the morning on an empty stomach for the best results.
To practice Camel Pose, follow these simple steps:
1. Begin by kneeling on your yoga mat, keeping your knees hip-width apart and your feet relaxed behind you.
2. Place your hands on your lower back, fingers pointing down. Press your palms firmly into your back for support.
3. Inhale deeply and lift your chest, gently arching your back. Keep your gaze forward or gently tilt your head back if comfortable.
4. Exhale slowly and lean back, bringing your hands to rest on your heels. Maintain a strong foundation through your knees and thighs.
5. Hold the pose for the desired duration, around 30-60 seconds, breathing deeply and evenly throughout.
Camel Pose provides several benefits for sinusitis. This yoga for sinus infection pose improves respiration by opening up the entire frontal region, allowing for better airflow through the nasal passages.
The stretch in the throat and chest helps to alleviate congestion. Regular practice of this pose can also help relieve sinus pressure and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
7. Head-To-Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana)
Image Source: Sourav // Yoga for Sinus Infection
Janu Sirsasana is an effective yoga pose for relieving sinusitis. This yoga for sinus infection pose helps to open up the nasal passages and promote better airflow, providing relief from sinus congestion and pressure.
To practice Head-To-Knee Pose, follow these simple steps:
1. Start by sitting on your yoga mat with your legs extended in front of you. Sit up tall and find a comfortable position.
2. Bend your right knee and bring the sole of your right foot to the inner thigh of your left leg. Your right knee should be pointing out to the side.
3. Inhale deeply and as you exhale, gently hinge forward from your hips, reaching towards your left foot with both hands.
4. If you can reach your foot, hold onto it with your hands. If not, you can hold onto your ankle or shin. The key is to find a position that feels comfortable for you.
5. Keep your spine long and avoid rounding your back. Instead, focus on lengthening your torso and reaching forward with each breath.
6. Hold the pose for at least 30 to 60 seconds, breathing deeply and evenly throughout. Repeat on the other side.
The Head-To-Knee Pose provides several benefits for sinusitis. It helps to stretch and open up the sinuses, allowing for better drainage and relieving congestion. This yoga for sinus infection pose also helps to improve blood circulation, promoting overall sinus health.
Regular practice of this yoga for sinus infection pose can provide long-term relief from sinus symptoms and help prevent future sinus infections.
8. Shoulder Stand (Salamba Sarvangasana)
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Salamba Sarvangasana is an advanced-level Hatha yoga asana that is considered the queen of all poses. This yoga for sinus infection pose requires strength, flexibility, and balance, so it’s important to have a solid foundation in yoga before attempting it. To do this:
1. Start by lying on your back.
2. Lift your legs up towards the ceiling and support your lower back with your hands.
3. Slowly raise your hips off the ground, allowing your whole body to come into alignment. Keep your gaze towards your toes and breathe deeply.
4. Hold the pose for 30 to 60 seconds, focusing on your breath and finding stability in the pose.
If you’re new to this pose or have any neck or shoulder issues, you can modify it by using a folded blanket or yoga block under your shoulders for support. Remember to listen to your body and never push yourself beyond your limits.
The benefits of the shoulder stand for sinusitis are numerous. As you invert your body, this pose can help to calm the brain and reduce stress. It also improves mindfulness and concentration, allowing you to focus on your breath and find relief from sinus pressure.
The shoulder stand also stretches the neck and helps to improve blood circulation, which can reduce inflammation in the sinuses.
Practice this yoga for sinus infection pose in the morning on an empty stomach for maximum benefits. Remember to always approach advanced poses with caution and consult with a yoga teacher if you have any concerns.
9. Yoga Breathing Techniques (Pranayama)
Pranayama helps you control and regulate your breath, which can improve blood circulation and promote overall sinus health. Here are three effective yoga for sinus infection breathing techniques that can provide relief from sinus symptoms:
Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhan)
Image Source: Ivan Samkov // Yoga for Sinus Infection
If you’re looking for a natural way to relieve sinus symptoms, try practicing Nadi Shodhan, a powerful breathing technique in yoga. This yoga for sinus infection breathing technique can help clear your nasal passages and promote respiratory health.
To practice Nadi Shodhan:
1. Sit comfortably and close your right nostril with your right thumb.
2. Take a deep breath through your left nostril, then close it with your ring finger.
3. Release your thumb and exhale through your right nostril.
4. Inhale through your right nostril and then switch to exhaling through your left nostril.
5. Repeat this cycle for a few minutes, focusing on the rhythm of your breath.
This simple breathing technique can bring balance to the flow of energy in your body and improve blood circulation in your nasal passages. This yoga for sinus infection breathing technique helps alleviate sinus symptoms and promotes respiratory health as your nasal passages are cleared.
If you want to modify the practice, you can use your index finger instead of your ring finger to close your left nostril. This variation may be more comfortable for some individuals.
Breath Of Fire
Image Source: Cottonbro Studio // Yoga for Sinus Infection
One powerful breathing technique that can help you find relief is called “Breath Of Fire.” This technique involves rapid and forceful breathing through the nostrils while engaging your abdominal muscles.
To practice Breath Of Fire:
1. Find a comfortable position on your yoga mat.
2. Sit with your back straight and your palms resting on your knees.
3. Close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths to center yourself.
4. Now, begin by taking short and forceful breaths through your nose.
5. As you breathe out, engage your abdominal muscles to forcefully exhale through your nose.
6. Keep the rhythm steady, with each breath lasting about one second, and maintain a comfortable and steady pace throughout the practice.
By practicing this yoga for sinus infection breathing technique, you can increase blood circulation in your body. This boost in circulation helps to oxygenate your blood and helps relieve nasal congestion.
Diaphragmatic Breathing
Image Source: Wallpaper Flare // Yoga for Sinus Infection
Belly breathing is a simple breathing technique that can help alleviate the discomfort caused by sinus infections. To do this:
1. Find a comfortable spot to sit. It could be on a yoga mat, a cushion, or even a chair.
2. Relax your shoulders.
3. Close your eyes and take a moment to center yourself.
4. Next, start inhaling deeply through your nose. As you breathe in, imagine your belly filling up like a balloon. Feel it expand and rise. Take your time with this inhalation, allowing your belly to fully expand.
5. Now, slowly exhale through your nose. As you breathe out, feel your belly deflate and sink back towards your spine. Release all the air out of your lungs until you feel empty.
6. Continue this deep belly breathing for a few more breaths. Inhale deeply, filling up your belly, and exhale slowly, emptying your lungs completely. Allow yourself to relax with each breath and let go of any tension or stress.
Breathing from the belly can promote relaxation and improve oxygenation in your body. When you deeply inhale and exhale, you are providing fresh oxygen to your cells, which can help support your immune function and relieve sinus infection symptoms.
If you feel any discomfort or dizziness, take a break and come back to the practice when you feel ready.
Relieve Sinus Symptoms With Yoga Today
If you’re dealing with a pesky sinus infection, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Yoga can be a powerful tool in helping relieve your sinus symptoms.
Remember, if you’re new to yoga or have any medical concerns, it’s always a good idea to consult with a naturopathic healthcare professional before starting a new exercise routine.
With regular practice, these best yoga poses for sinus infection, along with other natural sinusitis treatments such as the CleanCure Sinus Infection CureKit, can help alleviate sinus symptoms and contribute to your overall well-being. So why not roll out your yoga mat and give yoga for sinus infections a try?
