Anyone who has exercised on a summer’s day knows that it can be harder to breathe when it’s hot and humid outside and these conditions seem to be especially hard on people with asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition that cannot be cured but medicines. Lifestyle changes can help to control the symptoms which include challenges with breathing, chest tightness and/or coughing or wheezing.Yoga offers a number of practices that can stretch the muscles in the torso helping to open airways and exercise the lungs. For instance, any time you lift your arms over head the rib cage expands, now synchronise this movement with an inhalation and the lungs get to expand as well. Moving with the breath is an important way to get the benefits. Pranayama, or breathing practices, cultivate the ability to manage and control the breath and though it might not cure asthma, scientific research suggests that yoga may at least improve asthma symptoms and this is certainly what a number of my clients have experienced.Whilst doing these practices it’s very important to breathe through your nose even though asthmatics tend to be mouth breathers. Air breathed through the nose is filtered, warmed and moist making it just right for sensitive airways. Nose breathing also promotes efficient movement of the diaphragm.
Join me in this short practice to help open the lungs, move the rib cage and all the muscles around the ribs. If you become uncomfortable at any time please stop your practice and take a rest.
Consult your doctor before starting a new form of exercise.