Asthma Yoga Therapy plans

Asthma Yoga uses gentle postures + breathing techniques to improve lung efficiency, reduce breathlessness, and calm the nervous system. It does not replace medication, but it can meaningfully support asthma control when practiced correctly.

The goal is to open the chest wide and practice breathing techniques.

Bow Pose – Beginners can place a bolster or rolled blanket under the legs if that makes it more comfortable to hold the feet.
Bow Pose

The Bow Pose, or Dhanurasana, represents the archer’s bow, body curved in the shape of the bow, the arms connecting like the bow’s string. The root of dhanurasana, dhanu, means “bow” in Sanskrit.

Practitioners believe that bow pose enables mental stimulation so much, regular practice will ensure energy and vitality.

Benefits

• Helpful extension of the spine
• Full stretch of the front of the body and the back
• Expands the chest to help relieve respiratory problems.
• Strengthens the abdomen.

If you have hernia or back problems, or are pregnant, do not perform bow pose.

Advanced

Continue to curve the body until your feet rest on the top of your head.

 

Bridge Pose – A terrific pose that you can do as soon as you wake up. In this posture, the knees should not go over the toes. Don’t turn your head.
how-to-do-bridge-pose

Bridge Pose, or Setu Bandha Sarvangasana, is a restorative backbend that is accessible to beginners but offers much to more experienced practitioners.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana breaks out this way: “setu” is bridge or dam; and “bandha” is lock.

This asana, a great stretch for the back, chest and legs, has many other benefits, including:

• Reduced stress
• Stimulation of the thyroid, lungs, and abdominals
• Improved digestion
• Do not perform Bridge Pose if you have severe shoulder or neck problems.

Advanced

Lift your heels and move them closer to the tailbone.

 

Camel Pose – This can be a difficult pose to do properly without putting strain on the back, so use a block under your feet or place your hands on your calves. Make sure to lift the chest high without scrunching the shoulders.

Camel Pose, or Ustrasana, is a moderate backbend asana that yogis can learn in stages. Ustrasana is from the Sanskrit word ustra, meaning “camel.” This kneeling backbend slightly resembles a camel.

Benefits of the Camel Pose

• Stretches the hip flexors, abdomen, torso, and throat
• Reduces menstrual discomfort and alleviates respiratory conditions
• Strengthens the muscles of the back and legs

Advanced

Deepen the arc by bringing your feet, calves, and inner thighs together.

 

Cobra Pose – Try this posture or Upward Facing Dog Pose anytime to clear the airways and relieve stress.

In Cobra Pose, your legs and the tops of your feet are on the ground.

With Cobra Pose, or Bhujangasana, you’ll build tremendous upper body strength.

The root of Bhujangasana is bhujanga, which is Sanskrit for “serpent”. Although you’ll find this posture in many yoga styles, practitioners of Kundalini Yoga believe that this is one of many poses that awakens the coiled energy at the base of the spine.

The benefits of performing this posture include:

• A more open chest, which improves breathing and lessens asthma symptoms
• Reduced sciatica symptoms
• Relieved stress

The upward facing dog pose is one of the many postures of the sun salutation sequence. You can also perform this healing pose independently.

Urdhva mukha svanasana represents the three root words of the pose. In Sanskrit, urdhva means “upward”, mukha means “face”, and svana stands for “dog”.

This asana is sometimes confused with Cobra Pose. The big difference is that while both are reclining postures where the yogi is raised up on the arms, upward facing dog pose uses straight arms and lifts the belly from the floor. The cobra posture requires the practitioner to bend the elbows and keep the belly on the floor.

Cautions

Take caution if you are pregnant, have frequent headaches, or carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

Cow Pose – This is one of the easiest yoga poses for asthma. Combined with Cat Pose, it is a fun way to help children open the lungs.

Cow Pose, or Bitilasana, is sometimes paired with Cat Pose for a smooth asana flow sequence.

Bitilasana means “cow” in Sanskrit. You may hear Cow Pose referred to as Cat Lift, and that’s fine. However, Cow Pose is not the same as Cow Face Pose, which is a seated posture..

The rise and fall of the body in Cow Pose extends many benefits, including:

• A great stretch for the torso and back
• An awakening of the spine
• Released tension from the stomach and groins

This pose is often combined with Cat Pose. Start the sequence in Cat Pose, moving out of the arch into Cow Pose, then back to Cat. A final touch is to end the series by releasing Cow into Child’s Pose.

Cat Pose – Cat pose, or Marjaryasana, is sometimes paired with cow pose for an easy, rhythmic asana flow. In Sanskrit, marjari is the word for “cat”. Imagine how a cat rises up, arching the back in a full stretch. Every muscle and organ is stimulated in that movement, and that’s how you’ll feel after you perform the cat pose.

Health Benefits of Marjaryasana

• Reduced stress
• Release of the spine and internal organs
• Stretching of the neck, back, and torso

This pose is often performed in conjunction with cow pose, which some instructors might also call cat lift. Feel free to combine the two postures by moving into cow pose instead of returning to table top.

• Wheel Pose- For more experienced yogis, this posture provides one of the best chest stretches!

In Wheel Pose, also called Upward Bow Pose, it takes precision and breath control to release the pose.

Wheel Pose, or Urdhva Dhanurasana, is an intermediate to advanced inverted pose.

Urdhva Dhanurasana in Sanskrit breaks down this way: urdhva means “upward” and dhanurasana means “bow”. As with many inverted poses, you’ll stimulate the thyroid and pituitary glands.

Benefits

• Relief from osteoporosis and asthma symptoms
• Improves energy
• Strengthens the back, arm, and leg muscles

If you have problems with blood pressure or a back injury, do not perform this pose.