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COPD, Yoga and Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: What You Need to Know

Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation is a medically supervised exercise program that can help people with chronic conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

In addition to standard medical care, many people with COPD benefit from complementary therapies as well as non-medical interventions to manage their condition. These can include yoga and cardiopulmonary rehab.

Yoga is an ancient practice that has been shown to have a positive impact on breathing, balance, posture, strength and stress management. In addition, the slow pace and controlled movements of yoga may also reduce the risk of exercise-induced asthma attacks in people with respiratory diseases like COPD.

Benefits of yoga for COPD

People with COPD often experience shortness of breath and breathlessness. This is usually caused by a reduction in the ability of the lungs to take in oxygen and an increase in airway resistance.

Yoga has been shown to improve lung function, reduce breathlessness and improve quality of life in people with COPD. Yoga can also reduce the risk of exercise-induced asthma attacks in people with respiratory diseases like COPD. Breathing exercises are commonly used in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and can improve lung function and reduce the need for short-term medication in COPD. Yoga-based relaxation techniques may also improve the quality of life in people with COPD.

A few asanas that are helpful to people with COPD include the Bridge pose, Spinal Twist pose and Camel pose.
All these asanas are helpful in stretching the spinal column, which is a major issue in patients with COPD. The Bridge pose stretches the back muscles, while the Spinal Twist pose stretches the muscles along the sides of the spinal column. The Camel pose is helpful in making the back muscles strong.

How to do yoga for COPD?

Yoga is an exercise modality that can be done as a stand-alone therapy or as part of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program. Before beginning yoga, it is important to work closely with your doctor to make sure it is safe for you and to select a suitable yoga program. As with any exercise program, it is important to warm up before beginning a yoga session and to cool down and stretch afterwards. A yoga instructor can advise you about which poses are best for you depending on your level of fitness and the type of COPD you have. It is also important to choose the appropriate intensity and duration for your yoga practice so that you avoid becoming breathless or tiring yourself out.

What is Pranayama?

Pranayama, which translates to ‘yoga breath’, is a popular breathing technique practised in yoga. It involves controlled breathing that involves breathing exercises and breathing techniques. Pranayama is beneficial for people at all stages of life, especially people who have respiratory problems and those who have sedentary lifestyles. Pranayama can help people with COPD by improving their breathing capacity. It can also help relieve stress, reduce anxiety and insomnia and improve overall health. Pranayama is also a very easy technique compared to other yoga practices and can be performed by anyone, even if they have health issues.

Exercises and Yoga

Ujjayi breathing: This breathing exercise is helpful for people who are suffering from high blood pressure. When we breathe, air passes through the inner walls of the arteries, which increases blood pressure. This breathing technique makes the flow of air through the arteries slow down, thus reducing blood pressure.

Kapalbhati breathing: This breathing technique is helpful for people who are suffering from anxiety, insomnia and depression. This is a highly effective breathing technique that is also known to reduce blood pressure. It is good for the stomach, cardiac muscles and lungs.

Bhastrika breathing: This breathing technique is helpful for people who are suffering from allergies and asthma. It is a technique of rapid and shallow breathing.

Yogasana for COPD patients

These yogasanas are helpful for people with COPD. Some of these asanas are helpful for improving cardiopulmonary health. Others are helpful for reducing anxiety and insomnia.

Bhujangasana: This asana is helpful for improving your breathing. It also makes your spine flexible.
Dhanurasana: This asana is helpful for improving your breathing and the flow of blood to your brain.
Dhyān mudra: This is a meditation technique that is helpful for reducing anxiety and insomnia.
Uddiyāna bandha: This is a technique of contracting the abdominal muscles that is helpful for improving your breathing and the flow of blood to your heart.

Conclusion
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a condition that millions of people suffer from around the world. It’s a very serious condition that can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, and even a diminished quality of life. Fortunately, there are treatments and therapies that can help manage COPD, including Yoga.

Yoga can benefit COPD sufferers in many different ways, from improving their breathing to reducing their anxiety and depression. There are many different breathing techniques and asanas that can help COPD patients, so everyone should consider giving yoga a try if they’re interested in improving their health.

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