Women Fitness- Asthma and Yoga

Asthma is a respiratory disease characterized by chronic inflammation, labored or shortened breathing, wheezing, coughing and sticky mucous from chest The air passages are the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs. When the air passages get inflamed, it becomes red and swollen. It starts to swell and sticky mucus or phlegm is produced. Asthma comes from the Greek word for "panting". Dr. Konstantin Buteyko, a Russian Scientist claims that asthma is caused by over-breathing or hyperventilation.

So here is a picture to show show you has asthma affects your airways-

The number of asthma deaths has been on the rise since the 1970s. There are about 20 million asthma sufferers in the United States alone! What is alarming is slightly less than half of them (about 9 million) are children below 18 years, that is a huge number of children

Out of the total asthmatics, about 70% have other allergies and 10 million of Americans suffer from allergic asthma. Cases of asthma in children have shot up by a mind boggling 160% is the 1980-1994 period. Incidences of reported deaths have mounted to 5000 annually and direct cost of treatment is pegged at $11.5 billion and indirect costs at $4.1 billion. Prevalence is 39% higher in African Americans than white Americans. TAnd can you believe that they have found out that the total loss of work days is 24.5 million and school days lost is 12.8 million! There are some huge numbers to get your head around. 

Several studies have shown yoga to be a powerful adjunct therapy to reduce the frequency and intensity of asthma attacks as well as to decrease medication use. Consistent practice of yoga postures and breathing exercises increases the lung's airflow, air capacity, stamina and efficiency. Several studies have shown yoga as an alternate therapy to cure asthma. Simple relaxation techniques also help to reduce stress regulate breathing patterns and also improve lung function.

 It activates the parasympathetic nervous system and feelings of well being are produced. Dr. John Harvey, from the British Thoracic Society, said "The Benefits of yoga, or any other relaxation techniques, are additional to the benefits of conventional drug treatment, and it is vital that patients continue to take their prescribed medication." Thus, the practice of yoga helps to combat stress, reduce physical tension and muscle tightness.

Here are some Yoga poses to help you feel better and take control over Asthma, together with proper medication and your doctor's guidance. Please consult your medical professional before starting a yoga practice.  

Easy Yoga Pose: This is the easiest of the yoga poses for asthma as far as yoga and asthma goes. Sitting erect on the floor, cross your legs and clasp your knees easily and that's it. Breathe easy for 5 minutes.   Relaxation Pose: There are three parts to proper relaxation - physical, mental and spiritual relaxation. Relaxation Yoga Pose relaxes your body and mind, and makes you feel refreshed after doing the yoga. This is why it is an essential part of Yoga practice.

Shoulder Lifts: Lie down flat on floor on your back with your hands stretched above head. Relax for a couple of breaths and slowly lift up shoulders towards front together with head crouching abdomen as in curls. Inhale as you get up and exhale when retracting. Wind Relieving Pose: The Wind Relieving Pose works mainly on the digestive system. specifically, it helps in eliminating excess gas in the stomach.

Yoga Exercise - Corpse Pose: The Corpse Yoga Pose is considered as a classic relaxation Yoga Pose and is practiced before or in between yogas as well as a Final Relaxation. While it looks deceptively simple, it is actually difficult to perform.

Sun Salutation: Yoga sun salutation is a combination of 12 poses in a sequence beginning and ending in stand-at-ease pose, the 5th and 6th of them being standing on four limbs with body horizontal to the ground while forehead and nose touches ground. The sequential breathing series during the Sun Salutation prepares respiratory mechanism for the asthma combats. This is also helpful for backaches. This is among the top 10 yoga to relive asthma.

Breathing Technique

Yoga and asthma cannot distance themselves from breathing technique, a highly meditated breathing technique requires that you breathe rapidly in short sequences and consciously control the movements of the diaphragm (a membrane separating abdomen from chest.) This exercises the entire respiratory system. This is known as alternate nostril breathing technique. You inhale through one nostril and exhale through the other with a long retention of the breath in between. This brings breathing a much needed rhythm.  But always remember to check with your health care proffesional before begginning.

According to Yoga philosophy, a calm mind produces regular breathing and a relaxed body. So, breathing exercises can definitely help people with Asthma and Bronchitis. The general lifestyle involved in Yoga serves as a good therapy for respiratory problems. A healthy diet can build your resistance against cold, allergies, and other environmental causes of Asthma.