YOGA FOR ASTHMA
About Yoga for Asthma
Asthmatics, and in fact most stressed people, suffer a range of breathing problems – from shallow, high-chest breathing to breath-holding and over-breathing. Yoga and pranayama, or yogic breathing techniques, are useful asthma treatments. Pranayama brings awareness to your breathing, and enables you to cultivate new habits that can improve your lung capacity and increase oxygen supply. Clinical studies show that yoga can lead to improvements in PEFR (peak expiratory flow rate), VC (vital capacity) and FVC (forced vital capacity). As poor breathing habits can in themselves cause stress, improving breathing habits through yoga, pranayama, meditation and mindfulness can reduce stress levels, improving feelings of wellbeing and quality of life.
What the clinical studies say
Yoga
- 20% improvement in in mean forced expiratory volume Improvement in PEFR, VC, FVC, FEV1, FEV/FEC %, MVV, ESR and absolute eosinophil count
- Improves mood
- Improves quality of life
- Improves wellbeing
- Increase in exercise tolerance
- Reduced drug requirements
- Reduced symptoms score
- Reduces bronchoconstriction (EIB)
- Reduces weekly number of asthma attacks
- Significant increase in the pulmonary functions
- Improves quality of life
- Stress reduction
The clinical studies
Yoga
Sahaja yoga in the management of moderate to severe asthma: a randomised controlled trial
Yoga intervention for adults with mild-to-moderate asthma: a pilot study
Yoga for bronchial asthma: a controlled study.
An Integrated Approach of Yoga Therapy for Bronchial Asthma: A 3 - 54 month prospective study
Effect of yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) on airway reactivity in subjects with asthma
Evaluation of Yoga therapy programme for patients of bronchial asthma.
"Long-term effects of breathing exercises and yoga in patients with bronchial asthma"
Yoga for Asthma? A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
Efficacy of naturopathy and yoga in bronchial asthma--a self controlled matched scientific study.
Mindfulness
