The breath helps to sustain the body. An inhale can fill the body with clarity, and an exhale can relax the mind. For asthma sufferers, the difficulty to breathe at times can deter exercise because physical activity tends to aggravate breathing ease. Yoga is good for managing asthma symptoms, specifically a gentle yoga practice, because it is known to improve circulation, build lung capacity and promote a stronger immune system.
Definition
According the Mayo Clinic, when the bronchial tubes in the lungs become inflamed, the bronchial walls constrict and the airway membranes produce excess mucus that lead to asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or chest pain. The severity of the symptoms varies, but the the inability to catch one's breath no matter how severe can be frightening, and in some cases even life-threatening.
Effects
A study published in the March 2010 edition of the journal Chest found that those with asthma suffer psychological distress more than twice as much as those without. Yoga is a lifestyle practice that improves overall sense of well being, brings awareness to breathing habits, teaches students to harness the power of each breath, and trains the body to sit and stand with better posture. Not only does yoga improve lung function, according to Dr. Timothy McCall, author of "Yoga as Medicine," yoga also has been shown to lead to psychological health in regard to "mood, self-esteem, and sense of equanimity."
Factors
A slumped posture not only limits the function of breathing, but it also can lead to other muscle problems. In yoga, the body learns proper posture with an elongated spine, provides space for the upper body and the main respiratory muscles--the intercostals, which are the muscles between the ribs, diaphragm and abdominal muscles--to breathe fuller. Asthma sufferers commonly breath in dysfunctional patterns such as chest breathing, weaker exhalations than inhalations, breath holding, mouth breathing, reverse breathing and overbreathing, according to McCall. Because breathing dysfunctions are usually lifelong patterns, the body has to be trained to unlearn and adjust to healthy breathing. Breathing exercises, yoga postures and meditation techniques specifically address asthmatics' unhealthy breathing patterns, McCall says
Considerations
Whether allergy related, or due to a weakened respiratory system, yoga exercise complements asthma medical treatment and can aid the increase of inhalation and exhalation capacity. But like any exercise, yoga also can trigger asthma attacks in certain individuals. "Yoga As Medicine" recommends a warm room to practice yoga in since cold air can trigger wheezing; a warm-up and cool-down period, which is part of most yoga classes; and being cautious of hot and humid environments without drinking plenty of fluids as dehydration may provoke asthma symptoms.
Solutions
Simple yoga postures done as a daily exercise practice will lead to awareness of the very power and connection we have with our breath. According to Gary Kraftsow, author of "Yoga for Wellness," there are yoga poses to assist asthmatics with deep breathing through gentle movements. Seated breathing in a chair trains abdominal breathing. Forward Fold, Uttanasana in Sanskrit, is a basic standing forward fold that compresses the belly and allows for lengthened exhalations. Triangle, Trikonasana in Sanskrit, mobilizes the rib cage and stretches the intercostal muscles fully.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Asthma
- National Institutes of Health: People With Asthma More Likely to Be Depressed
- "Yoga as Medicine;" Timothy McCall, M.D.; 2007
- "Yoga for Wellness;" Gary Kraftsow; 1999
