Hi,
If I have a common cold (stuffy nose, sore throat, etc.) and/or have the
flu should I continue my Ashtanga practice, or have a lighter practice
or simply rest?
Thanks,
If you are sick, then rest. Take lot of fluids, drink warm broth, wrap up nice and cozy, and watch a good movie or read a good book. Your body is busy fighting to protect you. It doesn’t need distraction, or the extra stress. Wait until you are feeling better, and then challenge it to become stronger.
Try it once.
It depends mostly on how weak do you feel. If you have cold or flu symptoms but you don’t feel weakened, or at least not too much, you might try it, to see how it goes. I often was brought back from falling to bed by attending class. Sometimes you need it to mobilize your forces. Sometimes, its better to just rest.
[QUOTE=suryadaya;68117]If you are sick, then rest. Take lot of fluids, drink warm broth, wrap up nice and cozy, and watch a good movie or read a good book. Your body is busy fighting to protect you. It doesn’t need distraction, or the extra stress. Wait until you are feeling better, and then challenge it to become stronger.[/QUOTE]
I second this. The most I would recommend is very gentle seated postures that promote rest and relaxation.
Hello Zafu,
Is there some compelling reason to practice during a period where the message from your body is “rest because I need resources for combating invaders”?
If there is a compelling reason, perhaps you will reach samadhi today, perhaps you are nearing completion of manifesting light in all your cells, perhaps there is a pending catastrophe that you, in your meditation will be preventing…then practice.
For efficient healing the immune system requires rest.