Role of Yoga in Asthma

People working in offices and shops often lead a sedentary life. After work, they have very little energy left for walking, exercise or for doing any physical work. This affects digestion. Running or walking in a hurry, after taking food is harmful. But after 15 minutes rest, a person can walk.

One should practice yoga and meditation regularly if one wants to keep their body and mind in a good shapes. Apart from spiritual peace, meditation always helps in keeping the body physically healthy. Many rules are prescribed in Yoga. Yogis for asthmatic patients describe many physical postures or asanas and breathing exercises or pranayama. Before undertaking these practices some cleansing measures should be taken. These measures are called Shat karmas. They are:

1. Dhauti
2. Basti
3. Neti
4. Trataka
5. Nauli
6. Kapalabhati

Including Kunjala and Sankhpraksalana.

Each individual has specific requirements. Kunjala should be practised regularly and is very beneficial for the lungs. It involves taking saline water and vomiting it out.

Hatha yoga consists of eight different practices.

1. Yama : Practice for controlling mental aberrations.
2. Niyama : Religious performances and disciplined life habits.
3. Asana : Practice of different physical postures.
4. Pranayama: Breath control.
5. Pratyahara : Withdrawal of senses from indulging in their objectives.
6. Dharana : Concentration.
7. Dhyana : Meditation.
8. Samadhi : Deep meditation in a state of trance.