Physical Education · Ch 3 — Yoga as Preventive Measure for Lifestyle Disease
Matsyaasana
Matsyaasana
This asana is described in full in section 3.1.4 (Matsyasana) above - its procedure, breathing awareness, benefits and contraindications are the same wherever it is practised. The CBSE Class 12 Physical Education syllabus lists Matsyaasana again here because it is one of the asanas recommended for this specific lifestyle disease; refer to section 3.1.4 for the complete method and the posture diagram.
Why Matsyasana helps manage asthma
Arching the chest upward while the crown of the head rests on the floor opens the throat and chest to their fullest extent among the reclining asanas in the syllabus. The textbook itself notes that Matsyasana "gives relief from respiratory disorders by encouraging deep breathing"; the wide-open chest position makes shallow breathing almost impossible, gently training the lungs to take in a fuller volume of air with every breath held in the pose.
Specific benefits for a person managing asthma
- Opens the chest and corrects rounded shoulders, both of which restrict lung expansion.
- Encourages deep breathing purely through the shape of the posture.
- Helps tone the parathyroid, pituitary and pineal glands, supporting overall hormonal balance.
- Calms emotions and reduces stress, which is useful since anxiety can worsen the sensation of breathlessness in asthma.