How to Protect yourself from common monsoon diseases | yoga tips- asanas, mudra, shat karma and pranayamas

Monsoon brings relief from the scorching heat in June and the flora sprout out quickly brings greenery everywhere, but monsoon is also an impeccable environmental for the growth of various viruses and bacteria (the micro-organism to reproduce and multiply in the hot and wet weather) giving rise to air-water borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, typhoid, hepatitis-A, and chikungunya. All of these diseases are known as monsoon diseases. These monsoon diseases come as immunity is reduced during this time by fever taking hold of one’s body, which is a common occurrence during monsoon. Cold and flu are the most common form of viral infection.

Malaria is caused by the bite of female anopheles mosquito which proliferates in stagnant water; an infective disease caused by sporozoan parasites that are transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito; marked by paroxysms of chills and fever. Symptoms include - bouts of shivering, body aches and sweating that repeat the cycles.

Dengue is a viral infection caused by the bite of female Aedes Aegypti mosquito (the mosquito that transmits yellow fever and dengue) and it breeds in intermittent rainfall and high level-humidity. Dengue is an infectious disease of the tropics transmitted by mosquitoes and characterized by rash and aching head and joints; and, Symptoms include - loss of appetite, tiredness, severe fever, headache, muscle pain, and skin rashes.

Typhoid is a water-borne disease caused by poor sanitation and unhygienic food; serious infection marked by intestinal inflammation and ulceration; caused by Salmonella typhosa ingested with food or water. The fever comes and goes over a long period and this fluctuating fever contributes to severe abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, and headache.

Chikungunya is caused by mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water and is transmitted by the bite of infected Aedes Albopictus (mosquito < dipterous insect, two-winged insects) mosquitoes. Symptoms include - vomiting, rashes, nausea, and joint pains.

Hepatitis A virus is commonly transmitted by consuming contaminated food and infection with the Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and mainly affects the liver. Symptoms include - fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and loss of appetite completely. Hepatitis A- acute but benign form of viral hepatitis caused by an RNA virus that does not persist in the blood serum and is usually transmitted by ingesting food or drink that is contaminated with fecal matter

Cholera is caused by a water-borne infection (bacteria-vibrio cholera), and an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated water or food. Symptoms include- dehydration and diarrhoea.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) - any infection of any of the organs of the urinary tract; including kidney, ureter, bladder, and urethra. Symptoms include- a persistent urge to urinate, burning sensation, passing a frequent small amount of urine, foul-smelling and maybe pain in abdomen, pelvis and perineal regions.

Prevention

Maintain hygiene and cleanliness

Have lots of liquids and clean water.

Yoga

Common monsoon diseases that can be effectively prevented and cured by simple means of yoga and Yoga provides the following set of asanas, pranayama, and meditation that can help you:

Shat-karma- Neti, and Vamana (two or three times a week).

Asanas – Skandh chalan, Janu Prasar, Nadi chalan and Bal bachalan. Janushir asana, paschimottan asana, Sarvang asana, sarp asana (bhujan), Hal asana and dhanur asana.

Padam asana:

Find a quiet place and sit down on the ground with legs straight in front.

Fold the legs by placing the left foot on the right thigh and the right foot on the left thigh.

Place both the heels as near to the abdomen as possible while knees touch the ground.

Rest hands on the knees with the palms facing upwards with the index finger touching the middle portion of the thumb, spine lengthening up.

Shoulders should remain loose and arms fairly straight.

Breathe naturally.

Sit in this asana for as long as possible.

Vajra asana:

Sit with the legs folded back and keep the soles of the feet on both sides of the anus while keeping the knees together and meantime keep palms on the knees and remembering head, neck, and waist should be straight in the line. Look front, the body’s whole weight is put on the knees and ankles while the arms and shoulders are relaxed.

Maha-mudra:

Sit in a posture pressing the perineum with the heel of the left foot.

Stretch the right leg forward.

Inhale and retain the breath.

Hold the right toe with both hands.

Holding the breath and bend forward contracting the neck in (the chin is pressed naturally against the chest or Jalandhar bandha).

Continue holding the breath and Meditate in between the two eyebrows (Third eye and chanting small mantra e.g. Om). While in the bent forward position.

Exhale and Release the mudra slowly as visualize sending the warm prana energy down to the base of the spinal column.

Repeat the entire procedure with the right leg.

Repeat it for a three-movement cycle with both legs.

Pranayama is the chief constituent of yoga, known as the technique of breath control; it enhances the strength of pranas, nervous system and organs. Pranayama prolongs life and provides more oxygen to the brain and heart that enables and begets activeness, lightness, flexibility, stamina and strengthens in all the major and minor organs of the body within a few days of practicing it.

Nadi Shudhi pranayama- for three minutes only.

Kapala Bhati- three minutes only.

Surya Bhed Kumbhaka pranayama- thee minutes only.

Meditation.