The ability to take in a complete breath is as important to an asthma sufferer as water is to a fish. Breathing exercises help to strengthen your lungs similar to the ways in which resistance training exercises strengthen your muscles. These exercises do not cost any money, do not take up a lot of your time and you can practice them anywhere.
Buteyko Method
In her column in "The New York Times," Jane Brody described on the Buteyko method for improving quality of breath for people with asthma. This method was developed in 1952 by Konstantin Buteyko, a Russian doctor. Dr. Buteyko's method is based on his conclusion that hyperventilation, breathing too quick and too deep, causes low blood levels of carbon dioxide. When carbon dioxide levels are low, your airways constrict to conserve it. During an attack, instead of attempting to breathe deeply, Dr. Buteyko recommends slow, shallow breaths through your nose.
Nose Breathing
Dr. Buteyko recommends that asthmatics breathe solely through the nose throughout the day. This is especially important during sports when breathing rates accelerate. Physical therapists can teach the Buteyko technique to help you nose breathe even during sleep. Breathing rate is controlled by the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood and nose breathing helps to not expel more of it than necessary.
Yoga Breathing
The "Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology" reported on a study of yoga breathing techniques combined with standard pharmaceutical treatments. In the study, 120 patients were observed over the course of eight weeks. The group practicing yoga breathing exercises showed improvement in lung function.
Prayanama
Prayanama, yoga breathing, translates to "control of energy." "Yoga Journal" describes this exercise as taking your rough, erratic breathing rate and smoothing it out. You can practice this lying on a bolster that supports your spine and allows your chest to open up, or you can sit in a comfortable position. Focus on breathing in through your nose and taking that breath into the very bottom of your lungs. You should feel your lungs expanding evenly as you breathe. Prayanama can be practiced between 10 and 15 minutes.
Chair Exercise
Angela Smyth, in her book "The Complete Home Healer," includes a chair exercise to improve breathing for an asthmatic. As you sit on the floor, allow your head, arms and chest to rest on the seat of a chair. As you inhale, allow your head to fall back and as you exhale, fall forward. This can be repeated five times. As you progress, on your exhale, say "ahh" to force the exhalation.
