Can Pranayama Help Reduce the Severity of Asthma?

You must have heard a lot of people saying that Pranayama is a great way to get some relief from the symptoms of Asthma. Is there any truth to this claim? Yes, there is. Regular practice of pranayama can significantly help Asthma patients. It reduces the severity of the symptoms, strengthens the lungs, and improves breathing capacity as it helps regulate breathing patterns and control problems like wheezing and shortness of breath.

Here are the different kinds of Pranayama that you’ll find really beneficial.

Kapalbhati Kriya

Kapalbhati is an exercise for the entire respiratory system. It provides strength to the lungs, helps clear the respiratory tracks, purifies the blood, and boosts oxygen supply. Practicing this technique in the morning, while breathing in fresh air makes it even more effective for Asthma patients.

Bhastrika Pranayama

Bhastrika pranayama has many benefits and prevents Asthma attacks by restoring the lungs’ natural capacity to fight off the allergens and triggers. However, patients who've suffered a severe attack and are on medication should avoid this pranayama until they recover completely.

NadiShodhan Pranayama

The NadiShodhan Pranayama involves the technique of alternate nostril breathing. It is not only effective to heal many respiratory or circulatory problems but it also calms your mind and relieves the body from the accumulated stress. This is effective in doing away with Asthma as it purifies the energy channels in the body, purifies the blood of toxins and supplies adequate amount of oxygen to every cell of your body.

Breathing Control

The main pranayama practice of breathing control consists of four cycles of breathing process which focuses on slow inhalation, holding breath inside, slow exhalation, and holding the breath outside. This technique can be done for 3 to 15 minutes in a day and you should start by controlling one or two breaths initially and then increase the numbers of breaths to do this pranayama. This type of pranayama has great benefits for Asthma patients as it increases oxygen uptake capacity in the lungs.

Pranayama provides the complete package for revitalizing the body’s breathing system. Pranayama practices not only benefit the body but also impart vital energy to the mind to bring peace and blissfulness to the person practicing it.