How to Use Bikram Yoga to Relieve Asthma

Yoga is a practice based on the breath and the body, and has been developed over thousands of years based on worldwide recognized traditional techniques. There are a myriad of different disciplines of yoga, some based on age old traditions and others comprised of modern belief systems. Bikram yoga is a unique style of yoga, better known to some as "hot yoga," as it incorporated traditional yoga moves or asanas conducted in a room heated to approximately 105 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity of 40 percent. While there are more than 100 traditional asanas, Bikram yoga only utilizes 26. Bikram yoga asanas and breathing exercises have been shown to be effective at improving health, and can also be used to relieve asthma.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Expand your lungs to their full capacity. On a normal day, most people are only using a tiny percentage of the full capacity of their lungs. This contributes to a number of different breathing problems, including asthma. The breathing exercises offered by Bikram yoga can drastically expand the lungs, which can increase overall circulation to the body, preparing your body for the physical exertion ahead.

2. Balance your inhalation with your exhalation. Everyone has their own capacity for inhalation and exhalation. When it comes to asthma, it is common that the part that has to be improved is the exhalation aspect of breathing, which is something that can be done simply once you have accurately addressed the problem.

3. Extend your exhalation by breathing into an easy count. Begin with 4 seconds of breathing in, and then breathe out for the same amount until you have developed a flow of breathing that is rhythmic. You should continue this process for 1 to 2 minutes before making a change.

4. Inhale for the same count, but elongate your exhale, doubling the count from 4 seconds to 8. If you find this to be difficult, opt instead for an in-count of 3 and an out-count of 8. Continue this for a few minutes before resting.

5. Incorporate the principles of Bikram Yoga. Bikram yoga's 26 asanas are designed to open up the body, increasing breathing and opening up the body to increase overall health. Not only are the 26 asanas beneficial to the health of your breathing, but the heat associated with Bikram yoga also offers its own unique benefits.

Tips & Warnings

• Lower humidity is generally preferred for people with moderate to severe asthma, as high humidity can cause further difficulty with breathing.

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