Wheezing Got You Down? Practice This Yoga Sequence for Asthma Relief

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Oh asthma, you have been such a memorable part of my life. Long emergency room nights, sleepovers with my breathing machine, and an inhaler by my side always. Let me tell you, asthma, you have been a true friend.

NOT! . . . anyone else feel me?

I grew up nursing my asthma condition, constantly aware that too much of anything (running, laughing, tumbling, swimming) could trigger a flare up. Let me tell you, it was tough being that girl. The girl who sat out during gymnastics and who was forbidden from cat filled homes.

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to grow out of my asthma condition (halle-f*cking-lujah). Now I only pay mind to it from time to time, but I know many of us are not so fortunate.

This yoga sequence for asthma will not be your cure, but it’s my hope that you can seek solace through the postures, promote conscious breathwork, find expansion across your chest center (hello tender lungs!), a softening through your shoulders, and the confidence to continue moving forward.

Before we get started, let’s cover a few important tips:

If you experience tightness in your chest, bring your attention back to the breath and calmly release the pose
This sequences is yours to manipulate as you see fit – modify the shape, use yoga props, or completely abstain from the posture
If you suffer from intense chronic asthma and are unsure if this sequence is for you, please consult with a medical professional first

Interested in learning how yoga props can enhance your practice? Read 10 Yoga Props to Enhance Your Practice.

Let’s stop the talking and start the bending and breathing!

Practice This Yoga Sequence for Asthma Relief:

1. Cat + Cow Pose

Cow Pose gently opens your chest and throat while Cat Pose generates flexibility in your upper spine. Practice slowly inhaling into Cow Pose and exhaling into Cat Pose.

2. Sphinx Pose

Sphinx Pose strengthens your spine and expands your chest and lungs. Practice big, slow inhales and exhales here.

3. Cobra Pose

Slightly deeper than Sphinx Pose, Cobra Pose deepens the stretch in your chest and lungs as well as opening your heart, making it especially therapeutic for asthma relief.

4. Low Lunge with Bind

As you breathe deeply into Low Lunge with a bind, you’ll find a stretch in your hip flexors as well as your chest and lungs. Be mindful that your front knee does not jut out past your front ankle, creating about a 90 degree bend in your lunged leg.

5. Toe Crunch with Bind

One tip for this pose: breathe, breathe, breathe! Your shoes tighten up the fascia in your feet that this pose releases – and that’s not always the most comfortable sensation. Aim for three big breaths here to start and hold longer as you practice more often.

Add the bind here to continue stretching through your chest and lungs (and distract yourself from your feet!).

6. Camel Pose

The deepest pose of our sequence, Camel Pose is fantastic for asthma relief. This pose offers a deep stretch through the entire front of your chest, your lungs, and also provides a deep backbend.

7. Easy Seat with Ujjayi Pranayama

The best asthma relief is to focus on your breath. Cultivate a deep Ujjayi Breath in this Easy Seat and focus on the sensation of your lungs filling with breath.

New to Ujjayi Breath? Read A Beginner’s Guide to Ujjayi Breath.

8. Bridge Pose

Bridge Pose not only stretches your chest, neck and spine, but it’s also a fantastic pose for stimulating your lungs.

9. Supported Fish Pose

Our last and gentlest backbend, this supported posture continues the chest opening we’ve cultivated throughout this sequence. Focus on a deep breath here to stimulate and stretch your lungs as well as create a sense of release and relaxation.

Wheeze No More!

Asthma sucks, but learning how to deepen your breath and create a sense of calm can really help. Practice these therapeutic poses whenever you need to gently deepen your breath and stretch through your chest, lungs and shoulders.