Yoga Teacher Training Forum

More and more children are diagnosed with asthma each year and as the cases rise, a solution is sorely needed. Asthmatic children face social stigma, psychological difficulties and paralyzing fear that can rob them of some of the best years of their lives. For these kids, the addition of yoga can make all the difference.

Those who have never had an asthma attack can't really understand what it's like. Imagine suddenly being pulled under an invisible current of water, unable to draw a breath. There is no way to escape this force that prevents air from entering the lungs and all you know is that it'll lift only when it wants to. It would be difficult not to fight it and nearly impossible to remain calm during this experience. The more one fights it and panics, the longer the attack will last. This is difficult enough for an adult to reason through, let alone a child.

Most people think that inhalers are the solution, but this is not the case. The more a child uses an inhaler, the less effective it becomes. If the inhaler stops working altogether, there won't be anything to use in an emergency situation. Kids also really dislike the stigma of carrying an inhaler around as well. There is a definite stereotype surrounding asthmatic children.

More than anything, kids need to become aware of their breathing in a positive and gentle context and yoga provides that opportunity. Kids with asthma may participate in a normal yoga class for children provided that the instructor is aware of their condition and the child takes things slowly.

Performing the poses while breathing properly through the nose with the mouth closed and the tongue pressed to the roof of the mouth will teach children the proper breathing technique which hopefully will carry into everyday life. Studies show that asthmatics breathe 3 times faster than normal, which leads to excessive carbon dioxide loss. Expelling too much carbon dioxide inhibits oxygen retention in the blood, leading to decreased oxygen levels. Slow, steady, deep breathing promotes the proper balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen, reducing asthma symptoms dramatically in adults and children alike.

Above all, children need to learn not to fear their own breathing. The breath is not their enemy, and as they gain more and more control over their breath through the practice of yoga, their asthma symptoms should decrease. As the symptoms decrease, the reliance on the inhaler should lessen, making the inhaler much more effective in the event that it's needed.

Parents of children with asthma should strongly consider adding yoga to their child's activities. Graduates of kids yoga teacher training courses should consider making information available to parents of children with asthma.