Covid-19 is thankfully under control, but many people are still contracting the disease, and some for the first time. Most people infected will experience a mild to moderate respiratory illness, whilst others will show no symptoms at all. However for some the effects are extremely severe and longer lasting.
There is a wonderful Covid Recovery Programme available to practise when you are ready. I cannot stress enough: when you are ready. It took me several attempts at the programme to feel I had enough energy to do the poses, poses that normally I would find very simple. The focus is on opening the lungs and stimulating the lymphatic system, all in a restful way, without forcing the breath. The good news is, after the second time I contracted this disease, post vaccinations, I was much more able to attempt the poses. The programme involves a lot of props, so I would advise you to get them ready first so that you don’t have to move around too much and exhaust yourself. If you don’t have much equipment you can use pillows, sofa cushions etc. Do what feels right for you.
The programme was compiled thanks to advice and guidance from Abhijata Iyengar, Lois Steinberg, Gulnaaz Dashti, Stephanie Quirk, the IY(UK) Therapy Committee, IY(UK) teachers who have experienced the virus themselves, and decades of work by BKS Iyengar and Dr Geeta S. Iyengar in medical classes at RIMYI in Pune.
Long Covid.
So, one of the many awful things about this virus, is that for some people it just doesn’t go away. You feel better. You feel worse. You walk the dog - you are in bed again the next day. There are a few poses that can help you through this unsettling time, suggested by the Therapy Committee from the Iyengar Yoga Association in the UK. Please see the link below. Do not overdo it!
General good health and well being.
In terms of our everyday health, what can we do? It is important to keep our immune system as strong as we can. Good food, lots of water, regular fresh air and exercise are very important. There are lots of resources out there on the various Iyengar Yoga websites and I would advise you to practise an immunity sequence regularly. The link below is one of several sequences that you can find in the Iyengar Yoga community.