Pollution: 3 simple exercises to do at home to detox from pollution (and more)

Some exercises from the yoga tradition to help get rid of the harmful effects of pollution on the lungs and to detoxify the body.

Air pollution has serious effects on our health and people who already have respiratory problems or asthma may suffer more. However, we can defend ourselves, at least in part, by practicing certain breathing exercises from the yogic tradition that help our lungs stay cleaner by eliminating toxins.

Since the coronavirus also affects the lungs and the risk seems to be higher if we live in polluted areas (as several studies have shown), it is more important than ever to take care of our respiratory system. How ?

We can start with 3 breathing exercises that are easy to do in the comfort of your home, which are helpful in combating the effects of air pollution.

Kapalbhati

Kapalbhati is a breathing method that detoxifies the whole body. It is an exercise that eliminates toxins from the lungs but also from the brain, strengthens the abdominal muscles, increases the flow of oxygen and improves digestion.

This is how it is practiced:

• Sit up straight with your spine straight and your legs crossed
• Inhale deeply, exhale quickly making a noise of breath. Focus on exhaling quickly, not inhaling.
• As you exhale, simultaneously pull your abdominal muscles inward. The abdomen should bend as you exhale and rise as you inhale.

This type of breathing should be practiced for 10 minutes.

Agnisar Kriya

Agnisar Kriya means stimulating the digestive fire. This exercise acts on the metabolism but also makes it possible to detoxify the respiratory tracts and to improve the functioning of the abdominal organs.

Finally, this type of breathing strengthens our immune system.

This is how it is done:

• standing with hands on knees and shoulders straight
• inhale deeply through your nose, hold your breath and tilt your head forward, trying to make your chin touch your chest.
• pull your abdomen inward. Now exhale, pull your belly in completely and bring your chin straight back.

The exercise should be repeated 10 times and should be performed on an empty stomach. Avoid during menstruation.

Bhastrika

This breathing exercise detoxifies the body and recharges it with energy. People with asthma or respiratory problems are advised to practice this technique under the supervision of an expert.

Here’s how to do this exercise:

• Sit up straight with your legs bent and your shoulders relaxed. Take a deep breath through your nose and as you inhale expand your belly as much as possible.
• Exhale forcefully through your nose and inhale forcefully for one second per cycle.
• Breathing should come from the diaphragm. Keep your neck, head, chest, and shoulders still as you move your belly in and out.