Physical Education · Ch 3 — Yoga as Preventive Measure for Lifestyle Disease
Asanas to Prevent Bronchial Asthma
Asanas to Prevent Bronchial Asthma
Bronchial asthma is a lifestyle and respiratory disease in which the airways (the bronchial tubes that carry air to the lungs) become inflamed, swollen and narrow. This makes breathing difficult and leads to wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. An asthma attack can be triggered by allergies, smoke, dust, cold air, exercise or stress.
How Yoga Helps
Yoga helps a person with asthma mainly by improving the capacity and efficiency of the lungs and by calming the nervous system. Chest-opening and back-bending asanas expand the ribcage and increase the intake capacity of the lungs, while breathing practices (pranayama) train slow, deep, controlled breathing that strengthens the respiratory muscles and reduces the frequency and severity of attacks. As with other lifestyle diseases, yoga is a preventive and supportive measure and works best alongside proper medical care.