By Elizabeth Herman | Posted: July  26, 2019

Your office colleagues have organized a football game and want you to play. It sounds fun but you decline and instead support them from the stands. Similar situations have crossed your path so many times and every time you've passed them up. 

What holds you back? Is the fear of another asthma attack stopping you from playing or enjoying life to the fullest? Shouldn't you be the one who decides the terms of your life rather than your ailment? 

In the US, about 25 million people suffer from asthma, and these numbers increase with time. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 15.7 % of adult asthma cases are work-related, and work-related asthma happens mostly to people between 45 and 64 years old.

To this point, you've probably tried a lot of things to tackle asthma. But have you considered yoga, one of the simplest and most promising solutions out there? Yes, the ancient art of yoga is indeed one of the best solutions. A couple of hours spent learning yoga at a local Sri Sri Yoga course will equip you with postures that reduce the impact of asthma and may even help cure it permanently.

Here's a list of a few basic breathing techniques and yoga postures to lessen the effects of asthma:

1. Deep yogic breaths use our lungs to their maximum capacity and also help us to learn correct breathing.

2. Nadi Shodhan pranayama (alternate nostril breathing technique)

Begin with this breathing technique to calm your mind and relieve the body of accumulated stress. It has a healing effect on many respiratory and circulatory problems.

3. Kapal Bhati pranayama (skull shining breathing technique)

This breathing technique relaxes the mind and energizes the nervous system. It also clears all the nadis (energy channels) and improves blood circulation.

4. Ardha Matsyendrasana (sitting half spinal twist)

The sitting half spinal twist opens the chest and improves the supply of oxygen to the lungs, thereby reducing the probability of asthma restricting you.

5. Pavanamuktasana (wind relieving pose)

This pose is good for people with asthma as it massages the abdominal organs and helps in digestion and release of gas.

6. Setu Bandhasana (bridge pose)

The bridge pose opens up the chest and lungs, and reduces thyroid problems. It also improves digestion and is very effective for asthma patients.

7. Bhujangasana (cobra pose)

The cobra pose expands the chest, improves blood circulation and is highly recommended for people with asthma.

8. Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward-facing dog pose)

This pose helps in calming the mind, relieves stress and is good for people suffering from asthma and sinusitis.

9. Badhakonasana (butterfly pose)

The butterfly pose stimulates and improves blood circulation, relieves fatigue and has a therapeutic effect on asthma.

10. Poorvottanasana (upward plank pose)

The upward plank pose improves the respiratory system, stimulates the thyroid gland and also strengthens wrists, arms, back and spine.

11. Shavasana (corpse pose)

End your yoga practice by lying down for a few minutes in the corpse pose. This pose brings the body into a meditative state, rejuvenates you and also helps reduce anxiety and pressure. A calm, relaxed body and mindset is essential to tackle asthma.

A daily practice of these postures for 15 - 20 minutes will considerably reduce your chances of an asthma attack and may even help you get rid of it. A few minutes spent meditating will also enhance your experience and help calm your mind. You can experience the benefits of yoga and meditation during The Art of Living Happiness Program.

Childhood asthma

Hannah, 32, had asthma since birth and was under a lot of restrictions while growing up. She couldn’t play like other children her age and was usually left out of many activities. She would have difficulty breathing and even asthma attacks with just a bit of exertion. 

Her life changed after she started practicing yoga 5 years ago. Today, she spends half an hour every day practicing yoga, and can easily go swimming, hiking and cycling without any fear of an attack.

Like Hannah, your control over asthma will make it possible to enjoy your life as much as you like. With yoga, you can be carefree. Yoga lets you expand your capabilities and live fully.

Yoga practice can offer a lot of health benefits, but it isn’t a substitute for medicine. It’s important to learn and practice yoga postures under the supervision of a trained Sri Sri Yoga teacher. In case of any medical condition, practice yoga postures after consulting a doctor and a Sri Sri Yoga teacher. 

Find a Sri Sri Yoga course at an Art of Living Center near you.

This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

By Elizabeth Herman - PhD in English, with concentrations in Rhetoric and Composition, and Literature, she offers writing support to clients, teaches locally, lives in Boone, NC, and volunteers for a better world.