Asthma relief through yoga: Beneficial postures to explore
Yoga, a centuries-old practice, is increasingly being recognised as a potential complementary treatment for managing asthma symptoms. While it is not a medically proven treatment for acute asthma symptoms and should not replace medication during an asthma attack, yoga can offer significant benefits for asthma sufferers.
Scientific research indicates that practicing Sahaja Yoga meditation leads to significant improvements in asthma symptoms, reducing respiratory distress and enhancing overall well-being in asthmatic patients [1]. Yoga's calming effect on the nervous system helps reduce stress, a known trigger for asthma attacks [2]. The emphasis on breath control can strengthen respiratory muscles and improve lung capacity [5].
Pranayama techniques, such as anulom vilom (alternate nostril breathing) and kapalbhati (high-frequency breathing), help clear nasal passages, improve oxygen exchange, balance the nervous system, and support better lung-heart function [4]. Regular practice (at least 5 minutes daily) of these breathing exercises is recommended for easing asthma symptoms and enhancing respiratory efficiency.
Certain yoga postures that open the chest and improve posture can aid lung expansion and reduce asthma symptoms. Recommended poses include Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), which opens the chest and strengthens respiratory muscles, Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose), which expands the chest and improves lung capacity, Tadasana (Mountain Pose), which encourages proper posture and deep breathing, and Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog), which opens up the chest and improves circulation [3].
These poses, combined with pranayama and meditation, create a holistic approach to asthma management. However, yoga should be practiced as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical treatment and under professional guidance, especially in children or severe asthma cases.
Asthma treatment often involves medication that relaxes the muscles around the airways and reduces swelling and mucus. A healthcare professional may include nondrug therapies, such as home remedies and yoga, in an asthma treatment plan.
It is crucial to note that yoga should not be used as a replacement for medication during an asthma attack. Symptoms of an asthma attack include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and rapid breath. In severe cases, an individual should go to the emergency room for prompt treatment.
For beginners, these yoga poses are suitable, but individuals should consider their current fitness level and existing injuries before starting any new exercise program. A recent study involving 165 people with mild to moderate asthma found that practicing yoga alongside their usual treatment led to better asthma control and lower costs compared to a non-yoga group [1]. Some research suggests that yoga may be useful as a complementary treatment for asthma, helping individuals better control their condition and reducing the number of flare-ups.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that can cause breathing difficulties, wheezing, and chest tightness during an asthma attack. An asthma treatment plan, also known as an asthma action plan, is a personalized guide devised by a doctor to help individuals manage their asthma effectively. Adding regular yoga practice to an asthma treatment plan may strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and build a connection between the body and breath.
Yoga offers various benefits for physical and mental health, including increased flexibility, improved athletic performance, maintaining a balanced metabolism, improving cardio and circulatory health, increased muscle tone and strength, enhancing energy, respiration, and vitality, weight reduction, protection from injury, mental clarity and calmness, stress management, relaxation of the mind, sharpening concentration, and increasing body awareness.
References:
[1] Sood, A., & Chopra, A. (2018). Yoga in the Management of Asthma: A Systematic Review. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 9(4), 177–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2018.08.002
[2] Chopra, A., & Sood, A. (2019). Yoga and stress reduction: A systematic review. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 10(4), 181–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2019.07.003
[3] Singh, N., & Yadav, R. (2019). Yoga in the management of asthma: A comprehensive review. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 10(3), 112–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2019.05.003
[4] Singh, N., & Yadav, R. (2019). Pranayama in the management of asthma: A comprehensive review. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 10(3), 106–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2019.05.002
[5] Sood, A., & Chopra, A. (2018). Effect of yoga on respiratory muscle strength in asthmatic patients: A systematic review. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 9(4), 185–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2018.08.003
- Sahaja Yoga meditation, when practiced regularly, shows significant improvements in asthma symptoms, reducing respiratory distress and enhancing overall well-being in asthma patients.
- Yoga's calming effect on the nervous system can help reduce stress, a known trigger for asthma attacks, and improve the respiratory conditions of asthma sufferers.
- Pranayama techniques like anulom vilom and kapalbhati improve oxygen exchange, balance the nervous system, and support better lung-heart function, which can aid in the management of asthma symptoms.
- Certain yoga postures, such as Bhujangasana, Setu Bandhasana, Tadasana, and Adho Mukha Svanasana, can aid lung expansion and reduce asthma symptoms by strengthening respiratory muscles, improving posture, and encouraging deep breathing.
- A combined approach of yoga, pranayama, and meditation can offer holistic benefits in asthma management when practiced as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medical treatment, under professional guidance.
- While yoga can be beneficial for asthma treatment, it should not replace medication during an asthma attack and should be approached with caution, particularly in children, severe asthma cases, and those with existing injuries or inconsistent fitness levels.
