Play harmonica and keep Covid away

Call it battling Covid, musically or something else! Well, if internationally famed harmonica player Soham Mukhopadhyay is to be believed, Covid patients can actually improve their breathing system through playing and practicing mouth organ.

The National Award winning musician and URF World Record holder (Universal Records Forum) says: "Small but regular harmonica practice in a unique way following ancient yoga's pranavayu technique can be more useful to get recovered from breathing problems and simultaneously practice of music in a fun loving way could remove people's stress too. Especially, harmonica, technically made by following the inhalation and exhalation theory, which is named as blow draw technique, has this unique power. If practices can be done in some special way, it can definitely work like pranayama for removing stress and will strengthen the breathing system. In such a way breathing through nose is more effective than mouth breathing."

Interestingly, Mukhopadhyay invented and pioneered the technique of playing mouth organ using the nose, by applying the ancient Yoga techniques, for which he was recognised globally and found a mention in URF World Records. Mukhopadhyay is already making social awareness programmes, awareness campaign on 'Smoking and pulmonary disorder', across the country.

He can also play melodica, flute and all other blowing instruments through nose for long hours. "Known clinically as dyspnea, shortness of breath is one of the hallmark symptoms of Covid-19, the disease that's caused by the new coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. Unlike many other conditions that can cause shortness of breath, this symptom can persist and quickly escalate in people with Covid-19. Mouth organ can be a medical instrument against all these," says Mukhopadhyay. These days, doctors are often suggesting people to do some breathing exercises like balloon breathing, respiromitre, konkh breathing, pranayama and so on, but one often tends to go ignorant about the fact that harmonica is not only a musical instrument but it can also be used to recover breathing system, stress and some other physical problems. Even it is the only instrument which synchronises music with body mind and soul, feels Mukhopadhyay.

He says, "We all know that in ancient Yoga, our two nostrils are known as different "nadis" --Ira and, Pingala and the both of these nadis leads "thre pranabayu to susumna.." if a healthy breathing exercises can be done by nose by following some techniques, different positive response will come in different way.. it will improve breathing system, increase patience level, reduce stress and blood pressures."