Unhealthy lifestyle habits and exposure to polluted air make lung cancer a common disease in India. On World Lung Cancer Day, discover how yoga and pranayam can improve your lung health.
World Lung Cancer Day raises awareness about lung health and reminds you the importance of maintaining healthy lungs for a better living. Along with following healthy habits like avoiding smoking (or vaping) and staying away from second hand smoke, avoiding air pollution, staying active physically, refraining from sedentary life and eating a nutritious and healthy diet, practising yoga can also be beneficial for your lungs.
Certain asanas and breathing practices in yoga may help to keep your lungs healthy. These practices offer a powerful way to enhance lung capacity and manage respiratory health through mindful breathing and specific poses.
Saurabh Bothra, CEO and certified yoga instructor, Habuild, says yoga benefits lung health in the following 6 ways, and shares some yoga asanas that benefit lung health:
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- Mindful breathing improves the lung capacity; expanding and strengthening the lungs.
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- Deep breathing boosts oxygen intake, improving energy levels and health.
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- It helps maintain deep breathing patterns by reducing stress and anxiety that cause constrict breathing.
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- Poses like Bhujangasana, Dhanurasana and pranayama practice strengthen respiratory muscles, including the diaphragm.
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- Slow and deep breathing expels toxins from the respiratory system, promoting cleaner lungs.
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- It improves posture by aligning the spine and opening the chest, preventing lung compression and promoting efficient breathing.
Asanas that benefit lung health:Lung expansion:
Bhujangasana
Best yoga poses for lung health: Bhujangasana (Image: Canva)
Lie on your stomach, place your hands under your shoulders, and lift your chest while keeping your elbows slightly bent. It expands the chest and opens the lungs.
Dhanurasana
Best yoga poses: Dhanurasana (Image: Canva)
Lie on your stomach. Bend the knees and hold your ankles. As you lift up, the chest opens up – aiding the lung capacity.
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Ustrasana
Best yoga poses for lung health: Ustrasana (Image: Canva)
Kneel with your knees hip-width apart, arch your back, and reach for your heels with your hands. Lift your chest and open your heart.
Better posture:
Setu Bandhasana
Best yoga poses for lung health: Setu Bandhasana (Image: Canva)
Lie on your back, press your feet into the ground, lift your hips, and interlace your fingers under your back. Hold, then lower.
Tadasana
Best yoga poses for lung health: Tadasana (Image: Canva)
Stand with feet together, engage your thighs, lift your chest, and reach your arms overhead. Hold, then release.
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Better breathing:
Ujjayi pranayama
Best yoga poses for lung health: Ujjayi pranayama (Image: Canva)
Practice this exercise for effective breathing. Start by inhaling deeply with a slight throat constriction and exhaling slowly to enhance lung capacity.
Anulom vilom
Best yoga poses for lung health: Anulom vilom (Image: Canva)
It balances breath and soothes the nervous system, while Bhramari involves humming during exhalation to reduce stress and improve oxygenation.
NOTE – This article was originally published in moneycontrol and can be viewed here
