Immune Support Yin Yoga Series
Immune Support Yin Yoga Series
“If you don’t pick a day to rest, your body will pick it for you.”
There are many ways to quantify health, however a person’s individual relationship with their own physical experience is the truest and most informative way to approach wellbeing. To be embodied is to regard our physical sensations not as something to override or ignore, but rather as information pointing us towards what we need at any given moment. When we are embodied, we are best able to tend to our body’s needs.
Join Alex Argo for a four-week exploration focused on supporting the immune system. Each week she will target a system in the body, from the nervous system to the digestive system. Classes will approach immune support by fostering interoception (sensing signals from the body), as well as targeting the areas and organs associated with each system. Alex will guide students through gentle and nourishing practices, intended to reduce stress, improve digestion, tonify the respiratory system and promote lymphatic flow.
This class is offered on Zoom and in-person. The in-person sessions have a maximum of five students.
We require a minimum of two people to hold the class. Please register in advance.
Week 1 (3/6) ~ The Nervous System
The first week of Alex’s Immune Support Yin Yoga Series begins by addressing the nervous system. We have all been there. We are stressed, doing too much, burning the candle at both ends and then we get sick. There is no secret that there is a connection between stress and physical illness. When we neglect restorative activities and overdo it, we neglect our body’s natural ability to attain balance within our nervous system. Prolonged periods of imbalance can lead to depletion in immune function, not to mention anxiety and depression. Yin Yoga is a gentle and meditative practice that can be a powerful antidote to the stress of everyday life. This first week will ease students into a nurturing practice focused on subtle sensation, breath and awareness.
Week 2 (3/13) ~ The Digestive System
Did you know that 70% of the body’s immune cells are housed in the gut? Overactivity and/or stagnation in the digestive system can affect our feelings of physical wellness in general. Additionally, studies show that imbalance in digestive function can affect our immune response to external pathogens. By attending to our digestive health, we support our overall immune function.
In the second week of Alex’s Immune Support Yin Yoga Series, we will be addressing the digestive system. This nourishing practice will utilize breathwork and postures held in relative stillness, intended to go deep into the core of the body. Focus will be on stoking the intestinal fires, rinsing and releasing stagnation, and promoting a restored sense of balance.
Week 3 (3/20) ~ The Respiratory System
Our respiratory systems are the frontline of our immune response. The lungs are the only internal organ that has continuous, direct contact with the outside world. All day long our respiratory system encounters, filters and processes every particle we breathe. Not to mention the power of the breath to calm the nervous system and soothe digestion; it’s all connected. Through the lens of yoga and Traditional East Asian philosophies, the respiratory system is energetically associated with our grief, our joy and how we connect with others.
Join Alex this week as we explore the intricacies of the respiratory system. Focusing specifically on the lungs, this practice will utilize breath work, chest opening postures and meditation intended to tonify and cultivate a robust respiratory response.
Week 4 (3/27) ~ The Lymphatic System
What is the lymphatic system? Chances are you have heard about it, but what really is it and why is it important to immune health? The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It is a system of nodes and vessels that balances our body’s fluids and transports toxins and biological waste to prevent infection. Lymphatic fluid is related to the water element in our bodies. When in balance, it flows gently and steadily, doing its job to cleanse and keep us well. When the flow is disrupted by infection or illness, we can experience swelling or congestion.
In the final week of our Immune Support Yin Yoga Series, Alex will address the importance of lymphatic flow to our immune health. The lymphatic system depends on gravity and compression to squeeze fluid through its vessels. Postures will focus on both compression and expansion to clear blockages and promote flow, with a focus on targeting the lymph nodes through self-massage and acupressure.