7 Yoga Asanas To Get Relief From Asthma

Yoga is an incredible practice that has many benefits for both the mind and body. One of the many advantages of yoga is it can be a great tool for those who have asthma.

This ancient healing technique can help open up your airways, build lung capacity, and restore normal breathing to reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attacks, but it is not a singular or permanent cure for it.

# Camel Pose

The camel pose gives a very deep stretch and also serves as a wonderful backbend, allowing for the chest to open up and breathing to be easier.

This pose can be difficult for some, and moving into this pose should be done slowly and mindfully. The pose can be held for at least 30 seconds.

- Start by sitting up on the knees with the arms by the sides.
- On an inhale, bring the arms up overhead, opening through the heart.
- On the next exhale, bring the arms down again and drop the head back on the neck.
- Reach for the heels. If the heels cannot be reached, the hands can also come to rest on the lower back.
- Hold for a few breaths.

# Easy Sitting Pose (Sukhasana)

The easy sitting pose is very gentle on the body, and it is often used in addition to deep breathing. Due to the easy nature of this pose, you can feel very relaxed and centered while practicing it.

By sitting up tall and relaxing, the lungs can be more open, making it possible to breathe more freely. This pose can be held for at least 2 minutes or for as long as comfortable.

- Sit on the ground with the back, nice and tall.
- Cross the legs, bringing the knees toward the ground.
- Take deep breaths to relax the mind and body.

# Corpse Pose

The corpse pose is very simple to do and very relaxing. It is typically practiced at the end of a yoga class, but it can also be used on its own to relax and reset the body and to really feel each deep breath in the body.

This pose can be held for at least 5 minutes or for as long as it feels good.

- Lie on the back on the ground/mat.
- Allow the arms and legs to relax, however, is comfortable.
- Breathe deeply. Meditations can be used here.

# Fish Pose

The fish pose is great for opening up the chest and allowing for deep breathing. It is also very restorative. If this pose is too difficult, you can do it with a block under your upper back.

This pose can be held for at least 30 seconds or for as long as comfortable.

- Lie on the back and bring the arms down by the sides.
- Press into the hands to lift the head and chest up.
- Bring the crown of the head to the ground.
- Hold for a few breaths or until you are ready to come out of the pose.

# Bow Pose

The bow pose is a bit more strenuous on the body but has a lot of benefits. This pose should be done when asthma is NOT acting up.

This pose can be held for at least 20 seconds or for as long as comfortable.

- Lie on the belly with the arms in front and legs behind the body.
- Using the core, inhale.
- Reach the hands back for the feet/ankles.
- Press the feet/ankles into the hands to lift higher.
- Hold for a few breaths.
- Exhale back down when ready.

# Bridge Pose

The bridge pose is a gentle backbend that helps to promote openness in the chest, making breathing easier. This pose can be held for at least 40 seconds or for as long as it feels good.

- Lie on the back with the feet flat on the ground by the glutes.
- Bring the hands down by the sides.
- Inhaling, press into the hands, and use the core to lift.
- You can stay in this position, or the hands can come together under the body. You can also reach for the heels to deepen the pose further.

# Cat-Cow Pose

The cat-cow pose is a fun and relaxing pose that is easy to do and is great for creating an expansion in the ribs, chest, and back.

- Start on the hands and knees with the hands under the shoulders and the knees under the hips.
- On the inhale, press into the hands and knees and arch the back, bringing the head up to the sky and opening through the chest. This is the cow pose.
- On the exhale, pressing into the hands, round the back and drop the head, relaxing it on the neck. This is the cat pose.
- Continue flowing through the poses for at least five breaths.
- When finished, come back to center.