By Faye Martins
For thousands of years, people have been trying to find the link between the body and the mind. There has been a question as to whether, or not, the mind can be used to heal the body from diseases and disorders such as asthma. As long as people have been trying to understand this link, people have been practicing Yoga for therapeutic reasons. Although Yoga training has also been known to reduce or eliminate breathing disorders, the exact reason has not officially been pinpointed. Many studies have claimed that practicing Yoga regularly can have a significant affect on asthma.
When practicing Hatha Yoga to help improve the condition of asthma, there are many types of poses that can be utilized, but they generally involve an effort to correct poor posture and learning breathing habits. Many people do not realize that they are not breathing properly. Even though it is considered something that should be second nature, the way a person breathes can weaken their lungs and cause health problems.
Poor posture also prevents air from entering and leaving the lungs as effectively as possible. By learning the correct posture and breathing habits, asthma suffers can significantly increase their comfort level. Yogic exercises can also help to reduce mucous, which can greatly impede breathing. Some of the more advanced poses can help to loosen up the mucous that may have built up inside the chest and nasal cavity. A therapeutic Yoga session a couple times a week can eliminate this impediment and prevent build up.
Also, by simply decreasing the stress and anxiety in one’s life through the practice of Yogic techniques, an asthma attack is less likely to flare up. A healthier body often creates a healthier mind, and this is especially true when it comes to Yoga, which has been known to decrease the impact of daily pressures. By decreasing the stress in one’s life, it is more likely that asthma attacks will not be triggered or worsened by emotional flows.
Yoga techniques can be used to compliment the traditional medical management. Thus someone may already be using meditation, asana, and pranayama to control his or her asthma. It is not advised to discontinue any medication or a doctor’s advice. Yoga should be viewed as an adjunct therapy for treating asthma. However, with regular practice and dedicated training, it is possible to lessen the amount of prescription drugs that are needed. This alternative treatment can allow an asthma sufferer to not be controlled by their condition and feel internal relaxation.
The following Yogic techniques are recommended for asthma.
Anuloma Viloma Pranayama
Pavanamuktasana
Bitilasana
Urdhva mukha svanasana
Ustrasana
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Warning: The following postures are contraindicated for asthma.
Paschimottanasana
Halasana
Janu Sirsasana
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