Yoga and Pranayama for Asthma
- Yoga and pranayama can be beneficial for people with asthma, as they can help improve lung function and reduce symptoms. Here are some yoga poses and breathing techniques that may be helpful for managing asthma:
- Sukhasana (Easy Pose): Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position with your spine straight and your hands on your knees. Focus on slow, deep breathing, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
- Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): Lie on your stomach with your hands under your shoulders and your elbows close to your sides. Inhale and lift your chest off the ground, keeping your shoulders relaxed and your gaze forward. Exhale and lower back down.
- Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose): Sit with your legs straight out in front of you, then cross your right foot over your left knee and place your right hand on the ground behind you. Inhale and lengthen your spine, then exhale and twist to the right, using your left hand to gently deepen the twist.
- Pranayama techniques: Some pranayama techniques that may be helpful for people with asthma include:
- Ujjayi Pranayama: Inhale and exhale through your nose with a slight constriction in the back of your throat, creating a gentle hissing sound. This can help improve breathing and reduce stress.
- Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing): Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale through your left nostril, then close your left nostril with your ring finger and exhale through your right nostril. Inhale through your right nostril, then close it with your thumb and exhale through your left nostril.
- When practicing yoga and pranayama for asthma, it’s important to listen to your body and avoid any poses or techniques that cause discomfort or exacerbate symptoms. It’s also important to work with a qualified yoga teacher who can help you develop a safe and effective practice.