Q.What is asthma? Explain the procedure, benefits and contraindications of any two asanas that help in the management of asthma.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease in which the airways narrow in response to a trigger such as an allergen, cold air, exercise or stress, causing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and cough; a severe attack ("status asthmaticus") is a medical emergency. Two syllabus asanas for its management are Bhujangasana and Chakrasana.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): Lie prone, fold the hands under the shoulders (thumbs under the armpits), rest the chin on the ground, then inhale and raise the thorax upward only as far as the navel (the navel itself stays on the ground), breathing deeply; exhale and lower slowly. It tones the spinal/back/neck nerves, improves circulation and spinal suppleness, and is part of the chapter's own asthma management list. Note that although it helps asthma generally, the chapter's own contraindications specifically flag severe asthma — in a severe case it should be avoided, building up gradually through pranayama first. It should also be avoided in severe spinal problems, neck spondylitis, stomach ulcers, and pregnancy. …

What is Asthma?

Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease. The airways narrow in response to a trigger — an allergen, cold air, exercise, or emotional stress — producing wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and cough; this broncho-constriction is episodic and generally reversible with bronchodilators. A severe attack is called "status asthmaticus," a medical emergency that is often unresponsive to usual therapy and can affect the heart and circulation; rare associated states include hypercapnia (raised carbon dioxide) and hypoxia (lowered oxygen). Because there is no cure, asthma is managed through medication together with lifestyle measures, including yoga.

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

Procedure: Lie prone with the legs extended and feet together. Fold the hands under the shoulders, with the thumbs under the armpits, and rest the chin on the ground. Inhale and raise the thorax upward, only as far as the navel — the navel itself must stay on the ground, not lift — while breathing deeply. Exhale and lower the torso back down slowly, in sequence.

Benefits: Bhujangasana tones the spinal, back and neck nerves, improves blood circulation and spinal suppleness, and tones the lower-abdominal muscles, which aids digestion. It is part of the chapter's own listed yogic management for asthma, alongside its wider benefits of burning fat, relieving migraine, and improving thyroid and kidney function.

Contraindications: Avoid Bhujangasana in cases of severe spinal back problems, neck problems or spondylitis, stomach disorders such as ulcers (only with guidance), and pregnancy. Importantly, the chapter's own contraindications also flag severe asthma specifically — in that case the pose should be avoided and pranayama practised first to build up gradually, rather than attempting the full backbend directly.

Chakrasana (Wheel Pose)

Procedure: Lie supine with the knees bent and the feet placed near the hips. Place the palms flat on the floor beside the head, inside-out, at shoulder level. Inhale and push down through the palms and feet to lift the whole body up into a wheel/arch shape. Exhale fully while holding the pose, then release in reverse, coming to rest in Savasana. …