What's New in the World of Yoga:

Here we are again, in the middle of cold and flu "season". I'm convinced that "season" is a code word for something more than just the winter months.

Take a look at our activity levels and eating patterns during the months of November through February – the height of cold/flu season. It doesn't take much to increase our susceptibility and exposure to colds and viruses. It can be anything from coming into contact with airborne viruses that have found their way here from faraway shores to those hours spent helping a roomful of preschoolers.

But wait: the wind blows in summer too, kids will be kids, and stuff happens. So what's really up with this seasonal affliction? I've noticed that it begins with Halloween, which is a time when we increase our exposure to refined sugars. Did you know that sugar reduces the efficiency of germ- killing white blood cells, thereby weakening the immune system? True, those sweets are hard to resist and it's easy to fall prey to the "everyone, including Adam, ate it" line. More often, however, we make a conscious (but guilt-ridden) choice to do better tomorrow or work it off later. Instead, we continue with subsequent exposure during the winter months – Thanks(for)giving(me this cold); Christmas (A-shew! God bless you); New Year (do the words "A new me – as soon as I recover from my hangover" or "That's the last time I'll over-indulge" sound familiar? ) And then, of course, before the body fully recovers, my Valentine or I need nursing.

Not convinced? Then let's take a look at June through September. When we take advantage of lighter, fresh foods and increase our water intake in warmer weather, this gives the body good fuel that it uses efficiently. Add in more outdoor activities (inducing a light-to-moderate sweat that releases pathogens through the skin – a natural first defense mechanism), and we have a happy-go-lucky attitude that promotes reduced stress and immune durability. Oddly enough, this low stress attitude also affects the immune response positively when we shift into a more structured lifestyle. As a performance car enthusiast (i.e. the need for speed), I think of it as increasing air intake and using high quality lubricants as fuel to boost engine efficiency and performance.

According to Chinese medicine principles, winter is a time to regenerate our bodies through decreased activity and self-nurturing. I like being cozy as much as the next person; however, the tendency is to overindulge in some trappings of coziness, such as eating heavier foods, frequently snacking, and maintaining a lower level of sustained activity while spending more time indoors.

Take heart, though – there are many ways that you can protect yourself from being susceptible to colds and viruses during the winter months.

Here are a few immune-booster suggestions from my "best defense is an offense" approach:

• Stay active. To counteract a winter lull, plan healthy activities like yoga, dancing, hiking, or virtual video workouts, all of which increase antibody levels.

• Enjoy life. Decompress and chase away the immune weakening stress bug by indulging in laughter (which reduces cortisol – a stress hormone – and increases circulation) and basking in the warm glow of friends and family (which produces higher levels of antibodies that prompt white blood cells to attack viruses).
 
• Food Therapy. Think of nutrition as the primary arsenal that adds specific foods to strengthen the body's first level of defense and enhances its ability to release pathogens by regulating the opening and closing of pores (sweating/purging). Food that is used for their medicinal value should be taken in repeated dosages. (E.g. Take one cup of soup three to five times a day).

• Once or twice a week, enjoy some Thai soup – specifically Tom Yum soup. It has vegetables and/or chicken, as well as spices and herbs that help to ward off viruses. It also has useful anti-inflammatory properties that are effective in soothing a sore throat. I suggest you skip the noodles, however, as it will be easier on the digestion and the stomach can then give full attention to assimilating the spices and herbs, which are the medicinal value. This is often effective at the early stage of exposure, when you're feeling run down and have a runny nose and scratchy throat.

• Eat your veggies! Yes, it's true – three to five weekly servings of broccoli and mushrooms (plus one serving – six to 12 – of almonds a day) provide antioxidants, aid white blood cells in fighting pathogens,increases anti-viral activity, and strengthens immunity.

• Tea Time. Even if you're not a tea drinker, try a variety of flavors to discover a taste you can stick with. The antiviral/antibacterial properties in tea will help get you through the cold season. The immune system of tea drinkers responds to germs faster, according to a study* that identified compounds in tea that target viruses and bacteria.

• Ginger. Make a tea of 10 to 15 slices of fresh ginger in three cups of water and drink it in the evening when you're feeling drained and thinking you might be coming down with something. (By morning, that "something" has usually become a full-blown cold.) Then bundle up and let the warm, spicy nature of ginger induce a light to moderate sweat that allows the immune system to regulate itself and start to release any pathogen that may be present.

• Homeopathic Remedy. Oscillococcinum is known for its effectiveness in fighting off the early signs of colds, such as sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, headache, and body ache. As an immune enhancer and preventative protocol,  take one vial once or twice a week. Take it twice weekly if you've already been exposed or your sugar load has been moderate to high during the last two to three weeks.

Try incorporating these suggestions in your routine during the winter months by alternating the tips every two weeks to fit your mind/body consciousness. You have nothing to lose by weatherizing your winter bodysuit with this arsenal, and I'm confident that these immune boosters will lead to a healthier you throughout the year.

Namaste,
Beverly Driver

Updates from the Blog:

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In one of my recent blogs, I mentioned my frustration at having a new yoga instructor who just wasn't doing it for me.

Well, yesterday evening I dragged myself to the recreation centre for my next class with her. I really wasn't in the mood to go as I'd been so put off the last time, but I decided to give her another try. Maybe she'd been having an "off" day - we all have them sometimes. Continue Reading...

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So, have you made a new year's resolution? I haven't, but as things are flowing naturally this year, I am excited and enthusiastic about being able to get back to my physical yoga practice. Continue Reading...

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