Yoga and Asthma

Yoga has tremendous benefits for children with asthma. This article will itemize some of those benefits as well as provide specific exercises which children with asthma can perform to reap these benefits.

Yoga Teaches Proper Breathing Technique

Often asthmatics mouth breath or focus primarily on the inhalation. Both of these tendencies cause problems. Yogic breathing, pranayama, trains individuals in how to properly use their diaphragm, rib cage, chest, throat and nasal cavity to transport oxygen effectively to the body while allowing the carbon dioxide to be completely released. Asthmatics often need to focus on the exhale, allowing the lungs to fully empty, before inhaling. Breathing exercises also strengthen the lungs, increase lung capacity and pulmonary efficiency.

Yoga Combats Stress

Yoga is well known for its anti-stress benefits. Yogic relaxation techniques help to synchronize the mind and body. Tension is released and daily overstress relieved as the body lets go and individuals access their internal experience. Asthmatics are able to understand the emotional and physical triggers which can cause an asthma attack and thereby avoid them. Self-awareness is greatly enhanced and a feeling of confidence and trusting in your own personal wisdom grows. This is extremely empowering yoga for children with asthma as they personally are in control of their mind, emotions and body.

Yoga Provides Physical Fitness

Many children with asthma curtail or refrain from physical activities for fear it will result in an asthma attack. Yoga however allows for a full body workout without asthma induced repercussions.Yoga for Children can maintain a healthy body and mind, as well as benefit from all the social interactions which come from group physical fitness activities. In addition, Kids yoga is movement education, where the body and breath work together, which is highly beneficial for asthmatics.

Exercises for Asthma Relief in Children

Three types of yoga poses are especially helpful when working with children with asthma.

1.  Chest openers increase lung space and improve posture. Back bending poses such as Cobra pose, Fish pose, Camel pose, and Pyramid pose are all effective chest openers.
2. Poses which coordinate movement with the breath are especially beneficial. Standing in Mountain pose and raising the arms overhead on the inhale, lowering them back to the sides on the exhale, repeated 10 times, helps children become conscious of their breath, its rhythms, and how to breath properly. 
3. Twists such as simple seated twist or Marichiyasana III promote spinal length and flexibility. They help to tone the side body and massage the internal organs while teaching proper posture and how to move with the breath.

Breathing exercises for children with asthma are essential. Three pranayama exercises which will prove helpful for asthmatics are included here.

   1. Observing the Breath: Lie is Corpse pose. Close your eyes and place on hand on your chest, the other on your abdomen. Pay attention to the breath. Feel it, listen to it. Is it rough, smooth, fast, slow, even or un-even. Do not control the breath, simply observe.

   2. Lengthening the Exhale: As you breathe focus on softening the inhale (do not gulp in the air) and extending the exhale. Count while you do this so that the exhale becomes twice as long as the inhale. Be sure to use the diaphragm to expand and contract he belly and lower lung instead of using the chest and upper lung. Continue for five minutes.

   3. Breathing with Pursed Lips: This exercise focuses on the exhale. Inhale softly through the nose. Exhale through pursed lips, blowing the breath in out in a steady stream. Do not push too far. Pause, and then repeat. Keep the inhale soft, allowing the lungs to fill gently from the bottom. Maintain a slow steady exhale, using the diaphragm to expel the air gradually. Smaller children may benefit from a straw in a glass of milk or juice to visually see the effects of this exercise.

For more details about Yoga for Children, Yoga for Beginners, Kids Yoga visit our official website: Yoganic.       

Yoga for Beginners

You can get into shape if you start to do yoga. You will feel better once you start to perform yoga. You will not see many changes in the first few days of yoga physically but you will definitely feel the difference mentally. Yoga will also help you to relieve stress.

The great news is you will not have to invest a lot of money in expensive exercise equipment when you are a beginner at this exercise.

When doing this yoga for beginners one of the first styles of yoga you will learn is the Iyengar style. This style will allow to use different props that strengthens as well as pillows.

Another style you may learn when you begin is the Kripalu style. The Kripalu style focuses on the mental aspect of yoga. You will still move your body somewhat while doing your mental exercise.

One of the last movements each session is what is known as the Shavasana position. When performing the Shavasana position you should be at rest and still. Your muscles should relax and you should have a feeling of overall peace.

There is good news regarding yoga. You will lose weight as long as you attend regular classes. You should also take a class so you can learn all of the proper techniques to performing Yoga for beginners. You must do the positions correctly in order for it to be effective in helping with weight loss. Down the road if you want to perform yoga at home make sure you set aside a specific time of the day when you perform your poses. If you set a time aside ahead of time, you will stick to continuing to do this much better.

If you are taking yoga with a friend remember that it is not a competition to see who can do the poses longer or better. You should only do it for yourself. When you begin performing the poses you should feel comfortable and relaxed. If you feel stressed out and you are in pain, you may be performing a level that is above the level you are at right now.

Yoga for beginners is excellent for those with highly stressful jobs. When one is extremely stressed out it is very bad for one's health. Heart attacks, strokes, etc., are brought on by stress. Begin yoga and learn how to breathe in times of stress to help calm yourself down. Enjoy your alone time when you perform yoga as well.

To get more information about : Yoga for Beginners, Kids Yoga, Yoga for Children visit our official website: Yoganic