HyperYoga

Yoga is most often associated with poses or muscle stretching and to a lesser extent relaxation. Integral to the process is breathing and when we focus just on breathing exercises it is called pranayama.

Asthma can be described simply as a breathing disorder yet the condition itself is quite complex, caused by numerous factors with symptoms exhibited to varied degrees at seemingly random times.

Yoga can be safely practiced by asthmatics in a similar manner to other forms of exercise using common sense and following relevant medical advice. Taking it one step further, the use of appropriate pranayama could actually help reduce the symptoms of asthma.

There are several medical studies that have investigated breathing exercises in the context of Asthma, among other respiratory related conditions. One of the more well known techniques was researched by Professor Konstantin Buteyko and has come to be known as the Buteyko Method. A paper in The Medical Journal of Australia by Simon D Bowler, Amanda Green and Charles A Mitchell titled Buteyko breathing techniques in asthma: a blinded randomised controlled trial concludes that its trial subjects “demonstrated a trend towards lower inhaled steroid doses and greater improvement in quality of life than did those randomized to a control breathing program.” Many other such articles can be found to support the method and just as with any yoga routine, the benefits come from integrating a regular healthy practice into one’s lifestyle.

In an article titled Asthma Answers by Barbara Benagh, she connects yoga breathing exercises with her own experience of overcoming asthma. The informative article examines the issue in some detail an includes her own set of five exercises, summarized as follows:

In a comfortable reclined position with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, soften into a relaxed and natural belly breathing rhythm.

Exercise 2: The Wave

This could be described as a form of Cat/Cow breathing on your back involving slow and easy breathing where the lower back rises and falls in a small rhythmic wave-like motion.

Exercise 3: Softening the Inhalation

As the name suggests, the exercise is performed by softening your inhale and allowing your exhale to remain the same. Using counts gradually and comfortably reduce the inhale length in relation to your exhale.

Exercise 4: Complete Diaphragmatic Exhalations

Lay down comfortably, gently without strain allow your abdominals assist you to exhale completely using a steady long breath. Pause after the exhale before softening completely to naturally inhale. Using counts and keeping your inhale length about the same, lengthen your exhalation.

Exercise 5: Extended Pause

Keeping the breath natural and constant, pause between inhales and exhales. Count the length of the pauses and slowly make them longer and longer.