Medications are frequently used to treat asthma, along with preventative measures including avoiding triggers. Some people contend that yoga can help lessen the symptoms of asthma.
If you have asthma, you are not alone. The estimated global prevalence of this chronic inflammatory illness is 300 million.
Currently, asthma treatment does not include yoga as normal. But it’s possible that regular, gentle practice could provide relief.
Aside from that, there’s generally no danger in doing yoga if it helps your problems. Continue reading to find out the best yoga poses to try as well as the most recent research on yoga and asthma.
Can yoga reduce the symptoms of asthma?
Many people recommend yoga as a strategy to control asthma symptoms. Yoga may benefit people with asthma, but there is no evidence to support this.
A Trusted Source review from 2014 assessed a total of 824 individuals from 14 research. They concluded that yoga was ineffective as a regular form of treatment. If it alleviates an asthmatic’s symptoms, though, it might supplement already-prescribed medication. These studies examined the effects of yoga on the quality of life, lung health, and symptoms of asthmatic patients.
The researchers found less evidence that yoga is healthy.
2016, a review
Trusted Source found similar results. Researchers analyzed 15 trials to determine how yoga positions, breathing, and meditation affected asthma symptoms. Weak to moderate evidence was found by the researchers to support yoga’s potential health advantages.
Reviews like this suggest that there isn’t much evidence to support yoga’s claimed advantages. Larger evaluations and studies are required to determine whether yoga can at all treat asthma.
The researchers found less evidence that yoga is healthy. They concluded that yoga was ineffective as a regular form of treatment. If it alleviates an asthmatic’s symptoms, though, it might supplement already-prescribed medication.
Yoga poses you should try
Keep your emergency inhaler close hand when experimenting with these yoga poses. Gently and slowly move.
Consult your doctor first if you’re new to yoga. They can describe how to do yoga securely.
breath control drills
The purpose of breathing exercises is to improve respiratory control. When used correctly, these techniques can promote more effective breathing.
pursed-lip respiration
Shortness of breath can be relieved by pursed lip breathing. As a result of the workout, your lungs receive more oxygen, which slows down breathing.
occupy a chair. Relax your shoulders and neck.
Take two calm, deep breaths through your nose. Maintain a puckered lip appearance as though you’re ready to extinguish a flame.
To the count of four, slowly exhale through your lips. Take a deep breath and let it all out.
Continue doing this until your breathing becomes regular.
Also read: 12 Health tips for Asthma patients during winters
Breathing with the diaphragm
Your body has to work harder to breathe if you have asthma. By widening your airways, gaining abdominal muscle strength, and improving the function of your heart and lungs, diaphragmatic breathing helps you to breathe more easily. Your asthma symptoms might be reduced by this workout.
Take a seat in a chair or lay in bed. Put one hand on your stomach so you can feel the inward and outward movement.
Through your nose, take a deep breath. Your stomach should start to expand and start to fill with air like a balloon.
Take two or three times as long to exhale through pursed lips as you do to inhale. You should feel your tummy expand as the air leaves.
Buteyko breathing
Buteyko breathing is a sequence of techniques that can lessen asthma symptoms, despite not being typically taught as part of a yoga practice. Here is a method for reducing coughing and wheezing.
Breathe in shallowly and hold for three to five seconds. Repeat several times.
Breathe out with your nose.
With your thumb and pointer finger, pinch your nose.
For three to five seconds, hold your breath.
Take a 10-second breather. If your symptoms persist, repeat.
Use your rescue inhaler if your symptoms don’t go away after ten minutes or if your asthma symptoms are particularly bad.
The bridge
A traditional yoga stance that opens your chest and promotes deeper breathing is the bridge.
Lay down on your back. Knees bowed, position your feet shoulder-width apart. With your palms facing down, place your hands on the ground.
While exhaling, lift your pelvis while maintaining a flat back and head. Take several long breaths.
Bring your pelvis slowly to the ground.
Cobra pose
Cobra Pose stretches out your chest muscles similarly to Bridge Pose. Additionally, it encourages blood flow, which aids in improved breathing.
On your stomach, begin. With your fingers open wide and pointing forward, place your hands on the ground just below your shoulders. Set your back legs straight and hip-distance apart.
Put your pelvis on the ground. While maintaining your hips stationary, press onto your hands and lift your upper body. To maintain the back of your neck long, roll your shoulders back and keep your chin parallel to the floor. For 15 to 30 seconds, hold.
Returning to the starting posture, lower your upper body.