For the past week or so I've had a case of The Stuffies, as I affectionately call it. It sounds cuter than saying I have a cold, right? Mostly it's just been uncomfortable, leaving me with a heavy, stuffy head feeling. I've changed up my yoga practice to work with my physical symptoms rather than against them. Here's what I'm doing to get some relief from The Stuffies:
- Starting in wide knee Child's Pose, I slowly roll my the top of my head on the mat until my crown is resting on the mat. This is a less intense version of Rabbit Pose. I repeat this move a number of times, feeling the acupressure points on my head getting a nice massage.
- From there I'll come onto all fours and do a number of slooooow Cat Cows.
- Then I'll come up into Downward Dog (or Dolphin Pose, depending upon how I'm feeling) and rest here for a moment, perhaps pedaling my feet slowly.
- From here I come back down into Child's Pose (sometimes I'll repeat the head roll).
- I come to a comfortable seated position and -- after blowing my nose -- I'll do a few minutes of Breath of Fire out of my left nostril. If I'm too stuffy for Breath of Fire, I'll do Alternate Nostril Breathing.
- I finish with a few minutes of Bhramari or Humming Breath.
Rather than use a Neti Pot, this time around I relied on a Neti Stik from The Himalyan Institute (I've been using one for years and I love it!). Ahhhh...take that Stuffies!
May you all breathe easy and be free from The Stuffies!
Namaste!
