Yoga for Asthma

Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. It causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow, which leads to coughing, shortness of breath, and tightening of the chest. The muscles around the airways become constricted and the lining of the air passages grows in size. By practicing the poses and breathing techniques of yoga, an individual will be able to help in aiding asthma. The use of yoga for asthma helps in reducing the constriction of the bronchial tubules, and bronchial tubes will continuously increase. The yoga for asthma breath exercises are the main practice of yoga for asthma and respiratory disorders.

Yoga for asthma exercise focuses your mind and emotions, which will help an individual more relaxed and create an easier breathing. Yoga for asthma exercises includes the breathing, relaxation techniques, and poses. Practicing some chest expansion and backward bends can reduce the intensity and repetition of an asthma attack.

TYPES OF BREATHING EXERCISES

Ushtrasana, a type of yoga for asthma, expands and stretches the lungs, boosting the capacity to breathe more effectively. It implements better supply of oxygen and flushes out foreign matter out of the respiratory tract. Ushtrasana is a graceful backbend which improves the flexibility of the diaphragm and development of the ribcage.

Procedure in doing the Ushtrasana:

1. with arms at the sides, stand on your knees
2. support your lower back with your hands and keep your knees hip-width apart
3. bend your body backwards while inhaling
4. place your right palm at the sole of your right foot
5. place your left palm on the sole of your left foot
6. push hips forward and keep your thighs vertical
7. arch your back to the fullest extent as possible
8. drop your head back gently
9. allow you’re the throat and neck region to stretch
10. while breathing normally, stay in this position for one minute
11. while exhaling, go back to the starting position
12. slowly removing your hands from the sole of your feet

Pranayama, or yoga breathing, has helped with many medical conditions as certified in clinical studies. This yoga for asthma has been proven a beneficial to every individual when we learn to breathe properly. Breathing is the most important aspect in life, and is the most vital process of the body because it is linked into our everyday experience. It is important for us human beings to breathe properly in order for us to have balanced oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.

The Pranayama,yoga for asthma, practice consists of a four part breathing cycle which focuses on:

• exhalation – expulsion of used air from the lungs
• inhalation – intake of air
• external retention – controlling retention of empty lungs
• internal retention – controlling retention of air within the lungs

The benefits of Pranayama are as follows:

1. increase breath efficiency
2. increases the flow of oxygen to all parts of the body
3. improves control and strength of the diaphragm and abdomen
4. increases relaxation by releasing tension
5. increases lung capacity