Yoga can assist persons with asthma develop breath and body awareness, lower their respiratory rate, encourage calm, and relieve stress. While there is no conclusive evidence that yoga can help people with asthma manage their breathing and reduce stress, which is a major asthma trigger, studies have demonstrated that yoga can help individuals with asthma control their breathing and reduce stress. While we may not always be able to avoid certain triggers, we may utilise yoga to attempt to be calm and mindful of our breath and body, which may help to lessen the severity of an attack, if not prevent it entirely.
Yoga can aid with asthma relief as well as a variety of other health advantages. The trick is to choose a practise that is both accessible and does not induce worry – start slowly and avoid pushing yourself to do anything that is uncomfortable or could cause strain or injury. You can do yoga at home or you can find yoga classes near you and join.
Here are some wonderful asthma-relieving yoga poses to try:
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Savasana
Lie down on your back with your arms at your sides, your feet and palms open. Close your eyes and relax your jaw to draw your attention inward. Begin to concentrate on your breathing and slow it down, making it deep and rhythmic while relaxing every muscle in your body. Hold the posture for 5 to 10 minutes, breathing slowly and evenly.
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Sukasana
Begin by sitting with your legs crossed. If your hips or lower back are bothering you, fold up a towel and lay it under your sit bones for extra support. Close your eyes and place your right hand on your heart. Place your left hand on your belly. For healthy posture, draw in your tummy and lift your chest. Gently exhale and hold the stance for five minutes, breathing slowly and evenly.
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Forward Bend
Stand with your legs hip-width apart, fold your body forward, and put a little bend in the knees to relieve any strain in the lower back. Fold your arms, holding each elbow with the opposite hand, and let your body hang as you take five deep breaths with your eyes closed.
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Seated Spiral Twist
Place your right hand on the floor or forward on the seat of a chair while seated on the floor or forward on the seat of a chair. Then, with your left hand on the outside of your right knee, progressively lengthen your spine while gently twisting your torso. Look over your right shoulder with a gentle glance. Slowly inhale and exhale while seeing your spine stretching and relaxing. Return to centre after a couple of breaths. Rep on the opposite side.
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Side Bend
Standing with your feet roughly hip-width apart is a good place to start. Pull your belly button in gently for support, but keep it relaxed enough that your diaphragm does the work while you breathe. As you bend slightly to the right, place your right hand on your right hip, turn your left palm out, and lift your left arm over your head. Hold the pose for a few breaths while slowly breathing in and out, and then repeat on the opposite side.