Yoga is an art that has been practiced in our country for ages and has gained much fame worldwide during few decades. Practicing yoga has proved to be a means to keep the body and mind in collaboration and maintaining health. It brings about peace and satisfaction by rejuvenating the organs and their functions. The pandemic situation has forced a lot of people to adopt a lifestyle included of the yoga practice. It’s also because people had time at home and the concern for keeping themselves healthy and protected from the coronavirus infection.
The need of improving our immunity has encouraged a lot of people to practice yoga and their asanas for enhancing their power especially that of lungs. There are a lot of yoga postures also called ‘asanas’ that are not only useful for physical strengthening but also relieving stress. Some of the postures that can help you to improve your lung capacity and increase the oxygen levels naturally are –
Khand Pranayam
Pranayams in yoga usually refer to breathing exercises and Khand means ‘part’. So we can describe the khand pranayam as a type of breathing exercise that is divided into two parts. If practiced regularly, it can increase the capacity of your lungs and also relieves stress. It also helps in increasing the quality and quantity of your life, if practiced from an early age.
Method: The best method for any yoga to start is its timing and place. You should choose a quiet place and the early morning time is the best for any yoga asana. Sit straight and your hands on your knees. Then start by inhaling in a count of two and then exhale also in a count of two. In the beginning, we should start with one time in a minute and gradually increase the number up to three.
Sukhasana
This yoga is very beneficial for the good health of your lungs. It allows a good blood flow to the lungs thus increasing its performance and cleanse the harmful toxins away. This exercise helps to cure many respiratory diseases and cough problems also. If practiced regularly, it also helps in reducing anxiety and stress.
Method: To start with, sit in the meditation pose and then hold your left wrist with the right hand and put them behind your neck. After this inhale and expand your chest by pulling the shoulders back. Slowly bend forward to touch your right knee with the forehead. Then return and continue with the other side. Repeat these steps for ten minutes.
Kapal Bhati
Kapal Bhati is one of the most famous and important asanas for the health of the lungs. Kapal means ‘head’ and bhati is ‘shining, thus this posture is both related to the breath as well as our mental health. Using breathing techniques we can enhance the emotional and mental conditions. Breathing exercises not only regulates the lungs problems but also helps to regulate the stress hormones and by this causes a fresh mind. In this pandemic, we need to strengthen our lungs as well as cope with the stress. This asana is very useful during this tough covid time.
Method: Sit in the meditation pose comfortably with your back straightened and eyes closed. Place your hands on your knees with your palms open towards the sky. Exhale the maximum amount of air from your lungs. Take the help of the stomach and pelvic muscles to powerfully expelling out all the air. Hold it for some time and solely relax your muscles thus the inhaling happens without any effort. Repeat with 20 rounds of breath and relax for some time.
Chakrasana
Chakra means wheel, thus this pose is also called the wheel pose. This is a backward bending pose with the appearance of a wheel. This exercise not only strengthens the chest muscles, but also gives power to the muscles of the stomach, arms, and thighs. This pose helps in reducing stress and anxiety and increases the capacity of the lungs.
Method: Place your feet firmly on the floor and bend backward so that your palm touches the ground and the neck should be relaxed. The weight of the body should be distributed between the palm and feet. Hold up to 5-10 breaths and then release the body slowly by pushing the body downwards thus lying on the floor.
Matsyasana
As the name suggests, it is also called the fish pose because Matsya means fish. This pose helps in increasing the blood circulation by distributing the oxygen and by stretching the lungs, which helps in the strengthening of them. Regular practicing this pose helps in reducing respiratory problems. It also stimulates the pituitary and parathyroid glands. This exercise enables relief in the shoulder and neck muscles.
Method: Lie on your back with feet joined and hands relaxed along the body. Slightly lift your hips and place the palm under the hips. Inhale and lift the chest and head upwards and slowly bend the head back so that the top of the head touches the ground. Hold this position for as long as you can comfortable with regular breathing. Slowly come to a relaxed position. Repeat this whole process.
These few postures can help you to fight the battle for maintaining good immunity along with all the precautions taken for avoiding the virus attack. Along with a good diet and hygiene, follow these exercises that can not only improve the lungs’ condition but also improves the mental ability to cope with the stress.
