yoga tip-yoga for asthma

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Healing Yoga: Yoga for Asthma

Although most asthmatics are unaware of it, they tend to chronically breathe at a rate two to three times faster than normal. Paradoxically, instead of providing more oxygen, over breathing actually robs the body of it. Asthmatics do take in more oxygen when they over breathe; but, more importantly, they also breathe out too much carbon dioxide. This expulsion leads the blood to stop releasing oxygen to the cells and creates the classic symptoms of an asthma attack. That's why learning to control your breath can help you control your asthma. You can practice consciously to avoid over breathing by slowing down your breath. It's a good idea to practice this every day, but you can also practice when you feel like you're in danger of an attack. By slowing down your breath rate, you may be able to reduce the incidence and severity of asthma attacks. Start by spending a few minutes a day noticing how quickly you are breathing. You may be quite surprised. Then consciously slow it down. Count all the way to six as you breathe in, and all the way down from six as you breathe out. Spend at least five minutes with this practice. Over time you'll start to reprogram your breath rate and decrease the likelihood of an attack. __________________________________________________