Despite all of the recent advancements in medicine, there is still a mystery surrounding the causes and treatment of asthma. In addition to affecting your lungs by narrowing your airways and making breathing difficult, asthma can also be brought on by psychological issues or other environmental causes. Asthma is, to put it simply, your body’s immune system’s reaction to the invasion of numerous substances in your lungs. Although there is no known treatment for asthma, adopting a healthy lifestyle helps to reduce the symptoms to the point where they are hardly noticeable.
Yoga is another thing that can assist in treating asthma. There are several yoga studios in Rishikesh, but Vinyasa Yogashala is the greatest one because it offers classes in yoga therapy and teaches you how yoga may help you manage your asthma. As it concentrates on maintaining the asana and breathing through it, it helps to develop your lungs by allowing the respiratory system to work while the body is in its natural stance. Each of these supports the development of your respiratory system. Yoga poses have helped asthmatics control their condition effectively and, in some cases, prevent attacks completely.
Here are five yoga positions that help with asthma.
Savasana:
Because of the respiratory and stress reduction benefits of savasana, many yoga instructors advise doing it to treat asthma.
How do you do it?
Lie on your back with your arms by your sides, palms facing up, and feet apart. Your focus will turn inward if you keep your eyes closed and your jaw relaxed. Start concentrating on your breathing, slow it down, make it rhythmic and deep, and let your entire body relax. Hold this position for five to ten minutes while breathing slowly and evenly. Every session of a 200-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh includes this position.
Sukasana:
Similar to savasana, sukasana is a calming pose that primarily concentrates on breathing and stress management. It is a fantastic pose for managing asthma.
How do you do it?
Start by sitting down and crossing your legs. Roll up a towel and place it under your sit bones for extra support if your lower back or hips are bothering you. Put your left hand on your belly and your right hand on your heart. Shut your eyes now. To keep a decent posture, tuck your stomach in and lift your chest. Hold this position for approximately five minutes while exhaling gently and evenly.
You can sit on a chair if you can’t comfortably sit on the ground. To maintain the seated mountain stance, lean back against the chair. Now, while keeping your arms at your sides and breathing slowly, raise your arms over your head and interlace your fingers. Hold this position for 30 seconds before lowering your arms and doing the exercise numerous times.
Pose: forward bending
Your chest will expand up in this stance, making breathing easier. This pose is soothing, helps you breathe deeply, and extends your back muscles.
How do you do it?
In order to ease lower back tension, stand with your legs hip-width apart, your body folded forward, and your knees slightly bent. Fold your arms, gripping each elbow with the opposite hand, and hang your body. Close your eyes and take five deep breaths.
If you have low blood pressure or become dizzy when you bend, sit down. You have three options: either stand in front of the chair, slant forward, or hold the chair’s back before bending forward. This pose is best learned in a 300-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh.
Twist in a spiral when seated:
This pose relaxes you and focuses mostly on your back, torso, and respiratory muscles.
How do you do it?
Keep your right hand on the floor or the chair seat when seated forward on the floor or in the chair. Now lengthen your spine while gently twisting your torso as you bring your left hand to the outside of your right knee. Now, while breathing in and out, gaze over your right shoulder. Your spine lengthens and relaxes as you inhale. Once or twice, hang on, make it through, and then head back to the centre. Do the same on the opposite side.
You can also perform this stance while resting on the ground. Bring your knees up to your chest on a mat. As you progressively turn your upper body to the left, let your knees fall toward the foundation to your right. As you gently allow your head to fall to the left, you can raise your arms up and to the left. Repeat on the opposite side after holding this position for one or two breaths.
lateral bend
This position encourages the side of your body and lungs to open up.
How do you do it?
Keep your feet hip-width apart as you stand. To support yourself, slowly draw your tummy in, but keep it relaxed so that your diaphragm can work while you breathe. As you progressively stoop to the right, keep your right hand on your right hip, raise your left arm above your head, and turn your left palm out. Hold this position for a few seconds while taking very slow breaths in and out. Then, switch sides and repeat the process.
Other advantages of yoga include
good breathing
improved cardio fitness
increased consciousness of breathing
increased adaptability
more flexible range of motion
decent balance
heightened muscular strength
better stress management
increased focus
Even though you might experience these advantages after just one yoga session, it is still advisable to practise often. You can continuously take use of all these advantages with a regular practise. Along with yoga, pay attention to your doctor’s instructions, especially if they urge you to avoid certain triggers.
Conclusion
Yoga may not be a common asthma treatment, but when combined with necessary medications and other lifestyle changes, it has therapeutic effects. Yoga suitability for you will likely be determined by your doctor. Make careful to speak with a doctor who is knowledgeable with asthma before studying breathing exercises or yoga poses. Always have your rescue inhaler close by, and move slowly through every exercise.