Yoga Helps Those With Asthma

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Heart rate variability, oxygen consumption and ventilation were also assessed while volunteers performed each of two tasks: handgrip for three minutes and an upright tilt for five minutes.

Overall, scores of individuals participating in the yoga arm of the trial improved an average of almost 43 percent.

There were few or no differences between the groups in heart rate variability, oxygen consumption or ventilation.

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"There's not much of a downside to yoga unless you have a major orthopedic problem," said Bidwell, who does not hesitate to recommend the practice to asthmatics after receiving proper instruction.

"Breathing symptoms are such a big part of asthma in terms of gaining control over them. Yoga enhances awareness of breathing and you may be able to recognize early on when breathing is not at a level it should be, which would promote earlier care," Field said. "Also, it's been recognized that deep breathing in athletes -- swimmers or runners -- actually improves asthma. When you have more functional use of lungs, it protects against asthma."

Field added he would like to see more and larger studies on the subject.

More information

The American Yoga Association has more on this practice.

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