Can Yoga Really Help With Asthma?

Asthma is a respiratory disease caused by inflammation and constriction of respiratory channels. It is a long-term health condition that causes irritation and swelling in the airways of the lungs. An asthma attack can be triggered by a number of factors that include genetic and environmental aspects. Doctors and medical experts are of the opinion that regular workouts can be very helpful in relieving asthma symptoms. However,  a number of people who have severe symptoms of asthma often find physical workouts challenging. Even small workouts can lead to tightening of the chest, breathing difficulty, wheezing, bronchospasm, and coughing. 

Yoga offers a simple and easy solution to this condition as it involves gentle stretching exercises that open up the chest, eliminate toxins, and strengthen the respiratory system against environmental factors. Here are some simple yoga poses that can be performed easily at home. Despite the simplicity, if you are facing any severe symptoms of asthma you must consult a physician before trying out yoga for asthma. Once you know the real state of a medical condition you can always search with the yoga trainer to create a tailored workout plan specifically for you. 

Best Yoga Poses For Asthma

  • Easy Pose or Sukhasana: It is a very simple and relaxing pose that can relieve asthma symptoms within a few days. All you need to do this focus on your breathing and try to maintain that focus for as long as possible with regular practice. The main purpose of this exercise is to relieve stress which is the leading cause of asthma attacks. You can try doing this asana in the mornings and evenings but it is advisable to try it early morning. If you are a beginner, you can try it for 2 to 3 minutes and then slowly extend the time from 5-7 minutes how to get comfortable. 
  • Staff Pose or Dandasana: The staff pose helps stretch the chest muscles and improve the overall posture. It is considered very effective in decreasing the frequency of asthma attacks asset works on back and core muscles along with those of the chest. Just like the easy pose, beginners can begin with maintaining the pose for 30 to 50 seconds and slowly increase the duration as they get comfortable. 
  • Seated Wide Angle Pose or Upanvishta Konasana: The seated Wide Angle pose is very helpful in opening up the chest muscles and stretching every part of the upper body. Regular practice of this exercise improves the breathing process and opens up the lungs for deep breathing.  For best results, this exercise should be performed empty stomach in the morning. If you have a hectic schedule and can’t make it in the morning you can always do it in the evening just make sure that you do it after 4 to 6 hours after the last meal. It is completely alright if you are unable to stretch your legs to the fullest in the beginning,  instead of pushing your boarding beyond its natural limits try to focus on your breathing and to it as long as your boarding allows it. It will get better as your muscles get used to stretching and bending. 
  • Butterfly Pose or Baddhakonasana:  one of the easiest and most relaxing poses, the butterfly asana helps stretch the lower muscles of our body. It helps relieve stress from the legs and abdominal muscles and thereby help reduce the chances of getting an asthma attack due to physical stress. Apart from that, the butterfly pose is also helpful in keeping the pelvic muscles toned and healthy. It is also helpful in relieving PCOS symptoms and maintaining a healthy menstrual cycle. 
  • Forward Bend Pose Or Uttansana: The forward bend pose is also a relaxing exercise that takes one’s mind away from stressful situations and racing thoughts. When you bend down during this pose it forces your respiratory channels to open up and breathe in more air. Regular practice of this asana can open the lungs and reduce the chances of inflammation, swelling, and irritation in the respiratory channels. 

These are the top 5 exercises recommended for Yoga For Asthma. They aren’t easy to perform and don’t involve any kind of equipment or space.  However,  since these are breathing exercises you may want to perform them in an open-air environment. 

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