Patients who suffer from chronic lung disorders like asthma, COPD or cystic fibrosis could benefit greatly from yoga breathwork. Yoga helps to improve lung function by opening up lung passages and releases stale air accumulated at the base of the lungs. By exhaling out toxins, it allows the lungs to circulate fresh, clean air.
Instructions
1. Lie on your back. Rest your hands to the side. Close your eyes and breathe normally through your nostrils. Allow the breath to come and go naturally. Relax your body on the mat as you breathe naturally for one to two minutes.
2. Sit up in a cross legged position. Inhale slowly to the count of three and exhale slowly to the count of six. Increase the breath counts. Inhale to the count of four and exhale to the count of seven. Inhale to the count of five and exhale to the count of eight.Repeat two to four sets.
3. Inhale and exhale naturally through the nostrils for a minute to center and ground yourself. Inhale through your nose to the count of three and then open your mouth and exhale forcefully by opening your mouth and letting out your breath so it forms the word: "Hahhhhhhhh" (make sure you draw out the breath when you open your mouth). Repeat six to eight times.
4. Lie back on the mat and close your eyes. Visualize your breath as a warm, bright light flowing your lungs as you inhale deeply to the count of three. As you exhale to the count of three, visualize the stale air releasing from your lung as puffs of grey smoke. Concentrate on your lungs and feeling positive energy flowing through your lung and heart center filling your body with fresh pure air. Imagine toxins leaving your body as you lie on the mat as you become aware of your natural breath. Place your hands on your chest and feel the natural rise and fall of your chest as you breathe. Stay in this reclined pose for at least one minute.
5. Sit up and sit cross-legged on mat. Inhale to the count of three as you raise your hands over your head and exhale to the count of three as you release your hands to your side. Bring your hands to heart center and end your breathwork practice by saying: Namaste.
