Breathing exercises that strengthen your lungs

Asthma weakens an individual. The entire breathing apparatus becomes weak and the nervous system gets unbalanced.  The stress and anxiety of modern life make this condition worse. I am emphasising breathing exercises here as they not only exercise and strengthen the lungs, but also help to calm and focus the mind so you become more aware of the constant thoughts that bombard your mind. If you want to help your asthma, be committed and regular in your practice.

Caution: Those suffering from high blood pressure, heart problems, gynaecological problems, stomach ailments or who have undergone recent surgery, should consult their doctor before doing exercises two.

Exercise 1

•  Close your eyes and inhale deeply as you count from one to five

•  Hold your breath; press the chin down on the jugular notch (mid-point of the two collar bones under the chin)

•  Raise chin up to about four fingers above the jugular notch and make a humming sound like a bee, using your throat. Slowly exhale as you hum

•  Listen to the sound vibrations as they travel up and spread through the head

•  Repeat three times.

Exercise 2

•  Sit back on your heels as shown

•  Bend the arms at the waist, your elbows close to the body and make fists

•  Raise both fists up, a bit higher than the head, keep your elbows close to the body

•  Exhale forcefully through your mouth (cheeks puffed out) as you pull the arms down, taking your elbows behind the waist as shown

•  Repeat 20 times, exhalation should be rapid, movements smooth not jerky

•  Inhale deeply and slowly

•  Exhale slowly.