5 Yoga Poses for Asthma Patients

Asthma

A condition in which a person’s airways become inflamed, narrow and swelled up.

Characterized by-

• Episodes of Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue

Causes of Asthma-

• Genetics
• Allergens like- House dust mites, pets, pollens
• Aspirin sensitivity
• Excessive exercise
• Environment

Pathophysiology-

• Normally when a person breathes the air passes through nose, trachea (windpipe), and then to the airways and small passages in lungs (Bronchioles, Alveoli etc).
• Then gaseous exchange (oxygen-carbon dioxide) take place and the oxygen is delivered to bloodstream.
• But in an Asthmatic patient, the triggering factors (dust, pollens) leads to the swelling of lining if airways (Broncho-constrictor response) further leading to activation of allergic mechanisms.
• Mucus fills the airways, obstructing the air to pass smoothly.
• Hence leading to Panic attacks, coughing and chest tightness.

Diagnosis-

• Spirometry to measure FEV (Forced expiratory volume) & FVC (Forced vital capacity)
• Elevated IgE LEVELS
• Chest X-ray
• HRCT (High-resolution CT scan)

What to Avoid-

• Sour items
• Dairy products
• Beans, Cabbage
• Cold drinks
• Ice-creams
• Coldwater
• Ghee
• Dry fruits
• Pickles
• Alcohol
• Smoking

5 Yoga Poses for Asthma Patients

Yoga-

1. Bhujang asana (Cobra pose)-

Bhujangasana comes from the word bhujanga meaning cobra or snake and asana meaning pose.

Steps-

 Lie down on your stomach, rest your forehead on the ground.

• Keep your legs close together.
• Place both hands in such a way that palms are touching ground under your shoulders, elbows should be parallel and close to your torso.
• Taking a deep breath in, slowly lift your head, chest and abdomen. Keep your navel on the floor.
• Pull your torso back and off the floor with the support of your hands.
• Tilt your head back and look up
• Maintain the pose.
• Now, breathe out gently bring your abdomen, chest, and head back to the floor and relax.
• Repeat 4-5 times.

2 .Setu bandhasana (Bridge pose)-

Setu – meaning Bridge

Bandha – Bind or lock

Asana – Posture

Steps-

• Lie on your back.
• Fold your knees and keep your feet hip-distance apart & ankles in a straight line.
• Keep your arms beside your body palms facing down.
• Inhaling, slowly lift your lower back off the floor.
• Gently roll in the shoulders; touch the chest to the chin without bringing the chin down, supporting your weight with your shoulders, arms and feet…
• Keep breathing.
• Hold the posture for a minute.
• Then gently release the pose.

3. Bandhakonasana (Butterfly pose)-

• Sit with your back straight and your legs straight in front of you.
• Slowly bend your knees and bring them towards your pelvis with the soles of your feet touching.
• Hold your feet with your hands for support and bring your feet as far in as possible.
• While exhaling, gently press your knees towards the floor and then release.
• Hold this pose for 1-3 minutes and then release by exhaling and straightening your legs out in front of you.
• Flap your legs up and down like the wings of a butterfly
• Gently press your knees towards the floor.

4. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Sitting half spinal twist )-

Ardha = half

Matsya = fish

Indra = ruler

Steps-

• Sit up with the legs stretched out straight in front of you, keeping the feet together and the spine erect.
• Bend the left leg and place the heal of the left foot beside the right hip .
• Take the right leg over the left knee.
• Place the left hand on the right knee and the right hand behind you.
• Twist the waist, shoulders and neck, look over the right shoulder.
• Keep the spine erect.
• Hold and continue, breaths in and out.
• Repeat to the other side.

Read Also: Steam Inhalation – Ingredients, Precautions

5. Pawanamuktasana (Wind relieving pose)-

Pawan – Air, Gas
Mukta – Free, release
Asana – Pose

Steps-

1. Lie flat on your back, ensuring that your feet are together, and your arms are placed beside your body.
2. Take a deep breath.
3. As you exhale, bring your knees towards your chest, and press your thighs on your abdomen.
4. Clasp your hands around your legs as if you are hugging your knees.
5. Hold the asana while you breathe normally.
6. Exhale and release the pose

Conclusion-

• The current approach to treatment of Asthma emphasizes “Prevention” with avoidance of allergens wherever possible.
• Excessive use of Anti-inflammatory drugs should be avoided.
• Acute episodes should be taken seriously and managed as soon as possible.
• In acute airway obstruction and wheezing, nebulisers may be used.
• Breathing exercises should be practiced.
• Most importantly drink plenty of fluids