The world has started discovering the amazing benefits of practicing yoga regularly. People now also address how it holistically improves health. These benefits are not just received to physical health but also cover mental health. It has been scientifically proven that practicing Yoga daily improves health. It helps avoid diseases and also heals the mind and the body. Many yoga practitioners had first-hand experiences where they were able to get rid of health issues that had been plaguing them for years. Not just this, Yoga is also known to provide immense mental calmness and inner peace.
Many Yoga practitioners have gone a step ahead and embraced Yoga into their lifestyle. They have incorporated Yoga in their day to day activities, in their relationships, and every daily transaction and interaction of their life. This gives a healthy flow to your life. It helps you overcome even the most difficult transitioning phases in life. This has made lifestyle Yoga extremely relevant and popular lately.
Benefits of Yoga For Asthma Patients
As the foundation of Yoga lies in breathing or ‘Prana’ thus it is the first tool for better respiratory health. It helps to relieve many problems related to pulmonary or respiratory issues. Take a look at some benefits of yoga for asthma patients.
- Breathing exercise and light stretching techniques that are adopted in Yoga helps to get relief from episodes of breathlessness that are common in asthma patients.
- Yoga helps in strengthening the chest muscles and increases the lung capacity which helps to increase oxygen flow into the lungs.
- It has been seen that people who practice yoga daily have a better transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream.
- Yoga is known to improve circulation in the body that helps to relieve symptoms of asthma.
- Better circulation and increase in oxygen level through yoga helps to relieve fatigue in asthma patients.
- Stretching in yoga helps in the better expansion of the lungs and chest cavity which also provides relief to asthma patients.
- Improved breathing through Pranayama helps to increase lung function and strengthens the core muscles which improve lung capacity.
Best Yoga Asanas For Lungs
Now, let’s take a look at some of the best Yoga for lungs with a step-by-step guide.
Bhastrika Pranayama
Also known as breath of fire. This asana helps to increase the oxygen flow into the lungs and also helps to get rid of all the toxins in the body. This Pranayama is extremely beneficial for all types of respiratory issues including asthma. It also boosts the immune system.
How to Perform?
- Sit in a relaxed posture
- Forcefully inhale and exhale repeatedly
Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
Triangle pose helps to improve the air passage to the lungs by expanding the chest cavity. The twisting action in this asana helps to massage the internal organs including the lungs and helps in their proper functioning.
Steps to Triangle Pose
- Stand in a straight position with legs three feet apart
- Keep your right foot straight and left foot at an angle of 15 degree
- Align your right heel with the center of the left feet
- Take a deep breath, exhale, bend the body to the right from below hips, lift left hand and touch your right hand to the ground
- Rest the right arm on your ankle
- Bend the body sideways and stretch to the fullest
- As you come up, inhale and get back to the original position
- Repeat with left leg
Nadi Shodhan Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
This Pranayama helps the body to relax and to relieve stores. It helps the body to relax. It also eases respiratory problems and improves lung function in the case of asthma patients.
How to Perform?
- Put the tip of your index finger and the middle finger of the right hand between your eyebrows and ring finger and little finger on the left nostril, and your thumb on the right nostril
- Close the right nostril with thumb and exhale through the left nostril
- Keep the right nostril closed and inhale through the left nostril, press the left nostril gently with ring and little finger, and removing the right thumb from the right nostril, exhale from the right.
- Breathe in from right nostril and exhale from left and continue this process for 10 to 15 minutes
Ardha Matsyendrasana (Sitting Half Spinal Twist)
Ardha Matsyendrasana can open up the chest and increase the oxygen supply to the lungs. It also helps to relieve stress.
Steps for Ardha Matsyendrasana?
- Sit in a straight position and stretch out your legs and feet
- Bend the right leg and bring your left foot around the right knee and take the left hand to your back
- Stretch the right arm and push the knee back with your elbow. Now put the right hand behind and left hand on your right knee.
- Look back over the left shoulder
- Hold this pose and breathe slowly
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
This Pose deepens the stretch in the chest cavity and lungs and opens your heart. It is therapeutic for asthma patients.
Steps
- Lie down on your chest and put both your palms near your chest on the ground
- Inhale and stretch your upper body upwards by taking support from your arms
- Reach the maximum height in this manner without rating your body below your abdomen
- Hold in this position for a while and then come back slowly while exhaling
Chakrasana (Wheel Pose)
This is a great pose to improve your chest cavity and strengthen the chest muscles.
Chakrasana Guide
- Lie on your back
- Bend the knees and bring your soles close to the buttocks
- Bend the elbows and bring your palms overhead, place them underneath your shoulders with fingers towards the feet
- Inhale, press down into the palms and feet and lift your shoulders and hips from the floor
- Bring the crown of your head to the ground and pause for a moment
- Come down by tucking your chin into the chest and then lower down slowly
Savasana
This is a straightforward Yogasana wherein we lie on the floor like a dead body with normal breathing. This is a simple yet excellent yoga pose that helps to improve concentration, treat insomnia, and respiratory issues.
Conclusion
Of course, medicines are a quick relief but the results from Yoga are enduring. No matter who you are, what you do, how is your lifestyle Yoga will for sure leaves you with benefits only. Incorporate Yoga into your schedule and minus off the time for doctor’s visit.
