Immunity Strong

​We are continuing our series called “Your Body on Yoga” looking at how yoga affects all the systems of the body. We started this journey on June 2, 2025 and we’ve covered a lot of systems since then. Just a few more to go.

This post is about the lymphatic system which is part of the immune system and is responsible for removing wastes and toxins from the body. The lymphatic system kind of looks like the nervous system or the circulatory system because it is made up of many vessels traveling throughout the body. The vessels carry toxins to lymph nodes for removal. These nodes are located in the head and neck, the armpits, the chest, the abdomen and pelvis, and the groin. 

The lymphatic system is quite different from the nervous and circulatory systems, however. Information moves through the nervous system due to electrical impulses and the blood that travels through the circulatory system due to the pumping of the heart. The lymphatic system does not have an internal mechanism for moving fluid through its vessels and must rely on gravity or mechanical movement to make this happen. In other words, the lymphatic system works best when the body is moving, only minimally when at rest. 

Yoga postures are an excellent way to activate the immune-supporting properties of the lymphatic system. For example,

√ Moving through flowing sequences like Cat/Cow, Sun Salutations and standing lunges to squeeze the vessels and enhance immune function.

√ Inverting the body encourages the lymph fluid to flow in the direction of the lymph glands, most of which are concentrated in the upper part of the body. Excellent choices are standing forward bends, legs up the wall (especially with hips elevated), bridge pose (with a block under the hips) and headstand.

Ayurveda, Yoga’s science of diet and lifestyle, adds two practices for the lymphatic system: self-massage with oil and dry brushing. 

√ Self-massage can be done with special oils for the doshas, or simply use sesame oil or jojoba oil because they are tridoshic. Massage from the hands up the arms toward the heart. Massage from the feet up the legs toward the heart. Massage clockwise circles on the abdomen and back. 

√ Dry brushing can be done with a medium bristle brush (not too hard or soft). Massage in the same way, toward the heart from the hands and feet, and circles on the abdomen and back.

These two practices encourage the movement of stagnant lymph fluid toward the lymph glands, thereby encouraging a quicker release of metabolic wastes. 

All of these lymphatic practices are vital during the spring season when we are shedding winter weight and coping with seasonal allergies. Give them a try and see if you feel better this season.