Should You Practice Yoga When You're Sick? Here's the Yogic Perspective

Recently I was navigating and recovering from a sinus infection —and part of my healing process was adding more aura-strengthening and nādī-strengthening practices into my day.

It brings up a common question: 

Should we still practice yoga when we're sick? 

Now, that’s a bit of a loaded question because it’s unique for everyone. However, many yogic techniques, mantras, and astral body practices are designed to support, rebuild and re-stabilize us. 

Unless we're in a very severe state, certain practices can speed up recovery.

What Happens to the Subtle Body When You're Sick?

When we're sick, tamas (inertia, heaviness) increases, and we usually feel like doing nothing and slump on the couch. However, even during these times, it can be especially beneficial to use yogic tools to re-strengthen the aura and the nādīs, because when we get sick the aura contracts, and the nādīs weaken which leaves us with less energy to recover. 

During these times I incorporate techniques that strengthen the auric field and the subtle channels (nādīs).  

This only takes me 2 - 15 mins/day, that's it! 

Why? Because it works. It produces results! (I know we sometimes bash the idea of "results" in yoga and love to say, "It’s about the journey," — and it is! — but if we never experienced benefits, if we never felt real support, why would we keep returning? The path is both journey and fruit.) 

Now, back to the point, haha...

We all know that rest is important when we’re sick. So why am I suggesting yogic techniques instead of just lying around watching Netflix?

Yes, rest is necessary. But let’s clear something up: Watching Netflix is not truly resting—and it certainly is not conserving energy. Whenever the senses are directed outward, energy is dissipated. 

You might ask,

“But aren’t I using energy when I practice yoga too?”

Yes, that's true—which is why we need intelligent, selective practices. No, you shouldn't go to a sweaty hot yoga flow class (that will only deplete your ojas, your vital energy). But specific techniques that build the subtle body, nourish the mind, and conserve prāna (life force) can be highly beneficial. 

The Yogic Mechanism Behind Recovery

Skillfully directed yogic practices do two key things:

• They redirect the senses inward, reducing the sensory stimulation the mind needs to process.

• They generate subtle energy by strengthening the astral/subtle body, which energizes the physical body and mind.

  
  

This energy not only helps the body recover faster but also strengthens the nervous system’s capacity to tolerate stress (in this case, the stress of illness). It reduces symptomatic expression, prevents them from becoming deeply rooted, and supports a quicker, more easeful recovery.

By adding in even one or two simple techniques focused on aura and nādī strengthening, we energize the astral body—this reflects into the physical body. It strengthens our internal resilience so we can recover with ease and helps prevent the illness from taking a deeper hold.

Commonly, people feel more energized, rejuvenated, and capable of moving through colds and flu with greater strength and stability.

Want to learn how to apply these practices in your own healing? 

Explore my Inner Strength Yoga series — designed specifically for rebuilding vitality from the inside out