Improving Lung Health with 7 Yoga Exercises

On the International Day of Yoga, experts emphasize the importance of deep breathing techniques and yoga exercises for enhancing lung health. Many people only use a fraction of their lung capacity due to factors like poor posture, stress, and incorrect breathing habits. Chronic stress and anxiety can also negatively affect the lungs. Yoga promotes conscious and deep breathing, such as diaphragmatic breathing and alternate nostril breathing, which improve lung capacity, oxygen intake, and respiratory function. Certain yoga poses, like chest-opening and backbends, help expand the lungs, stretch intercostal muscles, and increase lung elasticity.
Certified yoga experts recommend specific exercises to promote lung health:
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana): Strengthens the spine, opens the chest and lungs, and relieves stress and fatigue.
Upward-Facing Dog Pose (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana): Stretches the chest and shoulders, strengthens various muscles, and enhances lung capacity.
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana): Strengthens the back muscles, relieves tension and fatigue, and opens the chest and lungs.
Camel Pose (Ustrasana): Builds confidence, improves posture, strengthens the back muscles, and benefits individuals with asthma and bronchitis.
Fish Pose (Matsyasana): Relieves muscle tension in the neck, throat, and shoulders, stimulates the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and promotes healthy respiratory function.
Bow Pose (Dhanurasana): Stretches the entire front body, strengthens muscles, improves posture, and boosts energy levels and emotional balance.
Wheel Pose (Chakrasana): Stretches and strengthens various body parts, including the front body, arms, legs, spine, and abdomen.
These exercises should be performed mindfully and held for several breaths. Regularly practicing yoga postures and mindful breathing improves oxygen supply to the cells, enhances respiratory efficiency, reduces the risk of respiratory diseases, improves quality of life, and promotes mental and emotional well-being.
Re-reported from the article originally published in Mid-Day.