ASTHMA
Most people in the throes of an acute illness
will do anything to find relief, usually in the form of drugs and other remedies designed
to suppress symptoms. From the yogic and natural health point of view, this can be a
mistake. The disease is an attempt by nature to rebalance and heal the body, ridding it of
accumulated toxins, chemicals and waste products that have been stored and are clogging
vital capillary, lymphatic, nervous and organic channels. These impurities disturb
physiological function, converting it to the pathological, and distorting panic energy
fields. The mind is affected in a reciprocal interchange with distorted body energies
creating pain, tension and suffering. Disease is nature's mechanism to right the capsizing
human vessel and to restore normal function. The process must be aided and no suppressed,
so that it takes place in the shortest possible time with the maximum beneficial effects
and the minimum amount of suffering. Yoga achieves this lofty aim. For asthma these few
simple asanas (Sirasasana, Sarvanga asana), Dwikonasana, Mathsya
Asana, pranayama ( Bhastrika, Nadi
sodhana, Dowti ) and Kirya
( Jalaneti, Vaman
Dhauti
, Kunjal Kriya )will help them to get rid of the problem.
DWIKONASANA
Dwikonasana (double
angle post)
Stand erect with the feet one foot apart
Extend the arms behind the back and interlock the fingers
This is the starting position
Bend forward from the hips while simultaneously raising the arms
behind the back as high as possible without strain.
The arms act as a lever and accentuate the stretch given to the
shoulders and chest.
Look forward as far as possible, so that faces is parallel with
the floor.
Remain in the final position for a short time and return to the
upright position.
Relax the arms.
Repeat up to 5 times.
Breathing
In hale while standing erect and when returning to the upright position.
Exhale while bending forward.
Awareness
Physical - on the stretch of the arms, shoulders and upper back.
Spiritual - on anahata chakra.
Contra-indications
In acute or painful conditions of the shoulder joints this asana
should be
avoided.
Benefits
This asana strengthens the intrapinatus muscles, between the upper
spine and the shoulder blades, and develops the chest and neck. It is especially good for
young, growing bodies.
Practice note
For a variation of this
practice, interlock the fingers and turn the palms of the hands outwards.
Marjari-asana (cat stretch
pose)
Sit in vajrasana
Raise the buttocks and stand on the knees
Lean forward and place the hands fat on the floor beneath the
shoulders with the fingers facing forward.
The hands should be in line with the knees; the arms and thighs
should be perpendicular to the floor.
The knees may be together or slightly separated.
This is the starting position.
Inhale while raising the head and depressing the spine so that the
back becomes concave
Expand the abdomen fully and fill the lungs with the maximum
amount of air. Hold the breath for 3 seconds. Exhale, while lowering the head and
stretching the spine upward.
At the end of exhalation contract the abdomen and pull in the
buttocks.
The head will now be between the arms, facing the thighs.
Hold the breath for 3 seconds, accentuating the arch of the spine
and the abdominal contraction.
This is one round.
Breathing
Try to perform the movement breathing as slowly as possible. Aim at
taking at least 5 seconds for both inhalation and exhalation.
Ujjay breathing may be
used.
Duration
Perform 5 to 10 full rounds for general purposes.
Awareness
Physical - on the breath synchronised with the movement and flexion
of the spine from top to bottom. Spiritual - on Swadhisthana Chakra.
Benefits
This asana improves the flexibility of the neck, shoulders and spine.
It gently tones the female reproductive system. It may be safely practised upto the sixth
month of pregnancy; forceful contraction of the abdomen, however, should be avoided after
3 months. Women suffering from menstrual disorders and leucorrhea will obtain relief by
doing marjari-asana and it may be practised during menstruation for relief of cramps.
Practice note
Do not bend the arms at the elbows. Keep the arms and thighs vertical
throughout.
Dhanurasana (bow pose)
Lie flat on the stomach with the legs and feet together, and the arms
and hands beside the body.
Bend the knees and bring the heels close to the buttocks.
Clasp the hands around the ankles.
Place the chin on the floor.
This is the starting position.
Tense the leg muscles and push the feet away from the body. Arch
the back, lifting the thighs, chest and head together.
Keep the arms straight.
In the final position the head is tilted back and the abdomen
supports the entire body on the floor. The only muscular contraction is in the legs; the
back and arms remain relaxed.
Hold the final position for as long as the comfortable and then,
slowly relaxing the leg muscles, lower the legs, chest and head to the starting position.
Release the pose and relax in the prone position (Lie down on the
updown) until the respiration returns to normal.
This is one round.
Breathing
Inhale deeply in the starting position.
Retain the breath while raising the body.
Retain the breath inside in the final position of practice slow,
deep breathing so that the body rocks gently in unison with the breath.
Exhale while returning to the prone position.
Duration
3 to 5 rounds.
Awareness
Physical - on the abdominal region, the back, or the rhythmic
expansion and contraction of the abdomen to the slow, deep breathing.
Spiritual - on vishuddhi, anahata or manipura
chaktra.
Sequence
Dhanurasana is ideally practised after bhujangasana and
shalabhasana and should be followed by a forward bending posture. It should not be
practised until at least three or four hours after a meal.
Contra-indications
People who suffer from a weak heart, high blood pressure, hernia,
colitis, peptic or duodenal ulcers should not attempt this practice. This asana should not
be practised before sleep at night as it stimulates the adrenal glands and the sympthetic
nervous system.
Benefits
The entire alimentary canal is reconditioned by this asana. The
liver, abdominal organs and muscles are massaged. The pancreas and adrenal glands or
toned, balancing their secretions. The kidneys are massaged and excess weight is reduced
around the abdominal areas.
This leads to improved functioning of the digestive, eliminative
and reproductive organs and helps to remove gastrointestinal disorders, dyspepsia, chronic
constipation and sluggishness of the liver.
It is recommended in yoga therapy for the management of diabetes,
incontinence, colitis, menstrual disorders and, under special guidance, cervical
spondylitis. It improves blood circulation generally. The spinal column is realigned and
the ligaments, muscles and nerves are given a good stretch, removing stiffness. It helps
correct hunching of the thoracic area of the spine.
Dhanurasana is useful or relieving various chest ailments,
including asthma, and for freeing nervous energy in the cervical and thoracic sympathetic
nerves, generally improving respiration.
Kunjal Kriya or Vaman
Dhauti (regurgitative cleansing)
Preparation :
Wash the hands and make sure the nails are carefully trimmed.
Prepare about two litres of lukewarm (body temperature) water per
person, adding one teaspoonful of slat per litre according to taste.
Technique I : Kunjal
Kriya (the practice of vomiting water)
Stand near a sink or toilet, or if the weather is warm, in a
suitable place outside in the garden or near on open drain. Drink at least six glasses of
the prepared water one after the other, as quickly as possible, until it feels that the
stomach cannot hold any more. It is most important to drink fast and not just sip the
water.
When the stomach is full, the urge to vomit will occur automatically.
Lean forward, keeping the trunk as horizontal as possible.
Open the mouth and place the middle and index fingers of the right
hand as far back on the tongue as possible.
Gently rub and press the back of the tongue. This should induce
the water to gush out from the stomach.
If there is no expulsion of water it means the tips of the fingers
are not far enough down the throat or that the tongue is not bering pressed.
The more the practitioner relaxes into the practice, the easier it will be.
During the expulsion of water the fingers may be removed from the
mouth although this is not necessary.
When the flow of water ceases, again place the fingers in the
mouth and repeat the process.
Continue in this way until stomach is empty.
PRANAYAMA
Bhastrika Pranayama
Prepatory Practice
Sit in any comfortable meditation posture (sit spinerected) with the hands resting on the knees in either chin
or jnana mudra
Jnana Mudra (psychic
gesture of knowledge)
Fold the index fingers so that they touch the inside root of the
thumbs. Straighten the other three fingers of each hand so that they are relaxed and
slightly apart.
Place the hands on the knees with the palms facing down.
Relax the hands and arms.
Chin Mudra (psychic
gesture of consciousness)
China mudra is performed in the same way as jnana mudra except
that the palms of both hands face upwards, with the backs of the hands testing on the
knees. Relax the hands and arms.
Keep the head and spine straight, close the eyes and relax the
whole body. Take a deep breath in and breathe out forcefully through the nose. Do not
strain. Immediately afterwards breathe in with the same force. During inhalation the
diaphragm descends and the abdomen moves outward. During exhalation the diaphragm moves
upward and the abdomen moves inwards. The above movements should be slightly exaggerated.
Continue in this manner, counting 10 breaths. At the end of 10 breaths, take a deep breath
in and breathe out slowly. This is one round. Practise up to 5 rounds. Keep the eyes
closed and concentrate on the breathing and the counting.
Practice note
When accustomed to this style of breathing, gradually increase the
speed, always keeping the breath rhythmical. Inhalation and exhalation must be equal.
Benefits
This practice burns up toxins and removes diseases of the doshas or humours: kapha, phlegm; pitta, bile; and vata, wind. Because of the rapid exchange of air
in the lungs, there is an increase in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide into and
out of the bloodstream. This stimulates the metabolic rate, producing heat and flushing
out wastes and toxins. The rapid and rhythmic movement of the diaphragm also messages and
stimulate the visceral organs, toning the digestive system.
It is a useful practice for women during labour after a few months
of proper preparation. Bhastrika reduces the level of carbon dioxide in the lungs. It is
an excellent practice for asthmatics and those suffering from other lung disorders. It
alleviates inflammation in the throat and any accumulation of phlegm. It balances and
strengthen the nervous system, inducing peace, tranquillity and one-pointedness of mind in
preparation for meditation. |
