Yoga for healing Asthma

Research has proven that Yoga therapy is an extremely powerful alternative therapy for bringing down the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks.



It also helps to bring down, subsequently, the use of medication in the ailment. Regular practice of Yoga poses (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama) boosts the lung’s airflow, air capacity, stamina as well as overall efficiency. Backward bending poses open up the patient’s chest.



This helps improve both lung and heart functioning.

The asthma sufferer may do upper back bends and chest opening postures if he /she tougher to exhale during asthma attack. Likewise, the patient must do a lot of forward bends and lower back bending postures if he / she find it tougher to inhale.



Inverted poses help get rid of excess mucus from the lungs. Likewise, they also help to balance the immune system. In fact the general practice of Yoga helps bring down levels of stress, physical tension, and muscle tightness. At the same time it increases overall feelings of well being. This it does by activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

Breathing exercises help increase one’s ability to maintain a relaxed and controlled breath. This, automatically, helps prevent or bring down asthma attacks. Breathing exercises must be practiced according to what generally sets-off the asthma attack. For all conditions one ought to practise Dirga Pranayama. It encourages slow deep breathing patterns. But know this; Yoga is not a substitute for conventional allopathic medication. By all means consult your medical practitioner before starting any Yoga practices.

Specific Yoga practices that will help heal asthma faster include the following:

• Sukhasana – Easy Pose

• Surya Namaskar – Sun Salutation

• Shoulder Lifts

• Ardha Matsyendrasana – Half Spinal Twist

• Pavanamuktasana – Wind Relieving Pose

• Savasana – Corpse Pose
  

Pranayamas

• Kapalabhatti

• Anuloma-Viloma

• Brahmari

• Suryabhedana
  

Also try hydrotherapy, as far as possible. This is the Yoga therapy called Ushapaan (drinking lots of water). It helps, inadvertently and silently cleanse the system of toxins. These toxins are largely responsible for blocking the airway passages and aggravating asthma.