When it comes to taking care of your lungs, there are different breathing techniques to consider. For example, according to this article, we can gain great health benefits from belly breathing.
In addition, yoga breathing may be a helpful tool in your arsenal. According to some experts, practicing yogic breathing can help improve your lung capacity and overall respiratory health.
If you’re looking to improve your lung capacity, it may be worth giving yoga breathing a try.
What is Yoga Breathing?
Yoga breathing also called pranayama, is a type of breath control that is often used in conjunction with yoga poses and meditation. The practice is said to date back thousands of years and is a fundamental part of many yoga traditions.
Benefits
There are many different types of yoga breathing, but all share the common goal of using the breath to bring about a state of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Yoga breathing is said to have a number of benefits, including improved respiratory function, reduced stress levels, and increased energy and focus.
Related Studies
While there is limited scientific research on the subject, some small studies have shown that yoga breathing may indeed be beneficial for respiratory health.
Some studies found that people with asthma who practiced yoga breathing for eight weeks had improved lung function and quality of life compared to those who didn’t practice yoga breathing.
Another small study found that people with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) who practiced yoga breathing for eight weeks had improved lung function and quality of life compared to those who didn’t practice yoga breathing.
While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of yoga breathing for lung health, the practice is generally considered to be safe. If you’re interested in trying yoga breathing, it’s best to do so under the guidance of a qualified instructor.
How to Do Yoga Breathing
Yoga breathing is a relatively simple practice that can be done anywhere at any time. All you need is a comfortable place to sit or lie down and a few minutes of free time.
Once you’re settled in, there are a few basic steps you can follow to get started with yoga breathing:
- Find a comfortable position. Sit upright with your spine straight or lie down on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground. If you’re sitting, you can place your hands on your knees or in your lap with your palms up.
- Place one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. This will help you to focus on deep abdominal breathing.
- Slowly inhale through your nose, letting your stomach expand outward.
- As you exhale through your nose, allow your stomach to deflate.
- Repeat the cycle of inhaling and exhaling for 10–20 breaths.
Yoga breathing is a simple but powerful practice that can be done anywhere at any time. If you’re looking to improve your lung function, it may be worth giving yoga breathing a try.