To become a former smoker, you need to develop healthy habits. Yoga will help you train your mind and body to overcome your urges to smoke. Breathing exercises are essential for detoxifying the lungs. Yoga poses strengthen the body and improve circulation, which will help eradicate toxins. The Sun Salutation is a fundamental and basic sequence of postures that you can do daily. Breath techniques and yoga postures demand concentration and motivation, which can naturally become a form of meditation. Practice the following exercises to help you overcome smoking. As you become accustomed to them, envision yourself as a strong and healthy former smoker. If you are new to the practice of yoga, seek out a certified teacher to assist you.
Train Yourself to Breathe
Step 1
Sit down on your yoga mat in a comfortable position. Straighten your spine and extend the crown of your head toward the ceiling.
Step 2
Breathe in and out through your nose. Deepen each inhale by filling up the belly and chest. Lengthen each exhale by pressing your navel in toward your spine.
Step 3
Breathe in and out through the nose seven times. Each day, work toward increasing the number of cycles. This might be difficult in the beginning, but stay focused on the task to strengthen your respiration.
Learn Sun Salutation
Step 1
Stand at the top of your mat with your feet hip-width apart and hands by your sides. Tilt your pelvis forward and draw your shoulder blades together.
Step 2
On an inhale, sweep your hands up above your head. On an exhale, fold forward toward your toes, bending your knees slightly to protect your back. Allow your neck and head to hang loose.
Step 3
Bend your knees and place your hands on the mat alongside your feet. Step your feet back into a pushup position and lower yourself down by bending your arms and keeping your elbows against your sides.
Step 4
Place your hips, legs and the tops of your feet on the mat and lift up your chest by pressing down through your hands. Gaze forward and draw the shoulder blades together.
Step 5
Lift your hips up toward the ceiling to lengthen your spine and legs, forming a triangle with the body. Relax the neck and the head, gazing toward your knees. Soften your heels toward the floor.
Step 6
Look toward your hands and step your feet up to meet your wrists. Continue to hang the arms and head as you remain folded at the waist.
Step 7
Slowly roll yourself up to a standing position, sweeping the hands up above the head and then draw the hands together at your heart. Practice this sequence daily after your breathing exercise and try adding repetitions as you gain strength.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to your primary care physician before starting a yoga practice. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Consult a yoga instructor for help developing a yoga practice. When you have an urge to smoke, try doing the breathing and yoga exercises above instead.
- The breathing exercise might cause dizziness. If so, stop and breathe regularly. If you feel any pain doing the yoga exercise, stop immediately.
Things You'll Need
- Yoga mat
- Yoga block
- Drinking water
