Can i do pranayama when i am suffering from asthma?

Question

I have asthma. I heard that Pranayama is a remedy for asthma. So, what type of precautions would I need to take? And in how many days would you see expect to see the results?

Answer 1

Breath control and mindfullness can have benefits for asthma sufferers. Asthma bronchoconstriction causes wheezes, difficulty exhaling, and can get CO2 levels higher in our blood. These all are hard wired stimulants to our brain to change something, this cycle can cause panic attacks during an asthma attack. Practicing Pranayama can help teach your body how to stay calm during asthma episodes and helps to exercise our muscles that affect our breathing. It will NOT change how you respond to asthma triggers. You WILL need to keep your asthma regimen up. You may find that you have less severe episodes but it will not save you for possible life threatening emergencies. Depending on your age and other medical states, you may find that you feel better with physical activity, during stress, and even as you grow may find that you do not have as many issues. Understand what happens in asthma and begin your practice with an open and cautious mind, you may find many benefits like moving into a full asana practice or other forms of yoga.!