Having taught yoga in the Ellensburg community for the last
ten years, I’ve found that the majority of my students are
coming to class in an effort to reduce the effect of stress
in their lives. A wise choice since chronic stress has a
much wider range of symptoms than we might suspect. It can
produce or contribute to muscle strain, fatigue, headaches,
ulcers, asthma, back pain, digestive disorders, high blood
pressure and many other maladies.

Most of us think of stress as something that is imposed on
us from the outside world. Specialists however, define it
differently, it is not simply an event outside ourselves,
but our way of reacting to the event. Some researchers
believe that the everyday hassles inherent in life, such as
noise, traffic, family conflict, relationship challenges,
or financial worries, may over time, be more harmful than
sudden disasters.

One of the most commonly overlooked symptoms of stress is
the detrimental effect it has on our immune system.
Studies have shown that during periods of stress, the
adrenal glands step up the production of chemical
messengers (corticosteroids) which depress immune system
function, make us more vulnerable to illness, and reduce
our ability to recover from disease. Have you ever noticed
that when you’re feeling stressed you’re are also more
likely to get sick?

According to Jeff Migdow, M.D., yoga can help by
strengthening and balancing your basic weapon against
illness - the immune system. “Yoga postures done in a slow
relaxed way, deep yogic breathing, relaxation, and
meditation techniques are powerful tools for helping to
relax the nervous system and strengthen the immune system.”
Even one yoga class a week has been shown to make a
difference in lowering stress responses.

For many of us the arrival of winter means it’s time to
stock up on kleenex and cough drops. Not only do we have
the effects of colder weather, we also have the added
stress of the holidays. Colds are caused by bacteria that
affect the upper respiratory system, causing stuffiness,
coughing, sore throat, etc. Relaxing the nervous system
has been shown to help direct the immune system to attack
the viruses and bacteria that increase in colder weather.

Dr. Migdow suggests focusing on the thymus gland as one way
to build the immune system and fight off illness. Located
in the chest, the thymus gland is the locus of the immune
system. Thus, both the thymus gland and the immune system
are stimulated by any yoga posture in which we stretch the
chest and breathe deeply. The most beneficial yoga
postures for this purpose are the Cobra, the Pigeon, the
Fish, the Boat, the Bow and the Bridge.

So, what’s the answer? Obviously you can’t control the
world’s economy, traffic, or even how your co-worker or
boss chooses to behave. You can however use tools like
yoga and meditation to master the way you deal with stress,
revitalize your immune system, and optimize your health and
well-being. Your head will be clear, both physically and
mentally, you’ll find yourself more able to resist winter’s
infections, and stress that once knocked you off track just
won’t get to you like it use to.