Breathing Exercises for Respiratory Health and Asthma Relief
Master foundational pranayama techniques to increase lung capacity and calm your nervous system. I provide simple, step-by-step guidance tailored to your specific health needs.
How to Practice Kapalbhati (Skull Shining Breath). This is a powerful cleansing pranayama. I demonstrate the forceful exhalation and passive inhalation, and explain who should avoid this practice, such as those with high blood pressure.
The Difference Between Anulom Vilom and Nadi Shuddhi. These two breathing techniques are often confused. I explain the key difference: Nadi Shuddhi includes breath retention (kumbhaka), making it a more advanced practice than the continuous flow of Anulom Vilom.
A Beginner's Guide to Anulom Vilom Pranayama. Proper breathing is key to healing. Here, I break down Anulom Vilom, or alternate nostril breathing, showing you the correct hand mudras and breathing pattern to help calm your mind and balance your energy.
Simple Asanas to Help Manage Asthma. Breathing is the foundation of yoga, and in this video, I demonstrate four poses to help improve respiratory function. We will practice Bhujangasana and Setu Bandhasana to open the chest and enhance lung capacity.
About this collection
Before practicing techniques like Kapalbhati, it is vital to know if they suit your condition. For instance, if you have high blood pressure or have had recent surgery, you should avoid or modify the practice. My sessions begin with a safety check, ensuring you learn the technique without risking injury—nimma bennannu straight aagi itkolli (keep your back straight) is always our first priority.
Breathwork, or Pranayama, is more than just breathing; it is a tool to regulate your nervous system and improve lung capacity. In my sessions, we move beyond generic exercises to understand exactly why we perform each technique and, more importantly, when to avoid them.
The Importance of Proper Alignment
Whether we are sitting for Anulom Vilom or performing Kapalbhati, posture determines the effectiveness of the practice. If your spine is rounded, your lungs cannot expand fully. I emphasize steady, straight-backed sitting positions so that your breath flows without restriction. You will hear me remind you often in Kannada and English to keep your shoulders relaxed and your spine straight.
Understanding Your Practice
Many students confuse Anulom Vilom with Nadi Shuddhi. While they look similar, the key difference is the kumbhaka (breath retention) in Nadi Shuddhi, which makes it a more advanced practice. We break these down step-by-step, ensuring you are not just mimicking movements but actually understanding the pattern.
Therapeutic Safety
If you are managing asthma or respiratory issues, my focus is on gentle expansion. We use postures like Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose) and Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose) to open the chest cavity before beginning any breathwork. This prepares your body to absorb oxygen more efficiently. Before we start, I perform a quick assessment to understand your physical limitations—such as slip disc or hernia—so I can offer the right modifications. My goal is to make these ancient techniques accessible, safe, and effective for your daily routine.
Yoga for Cure
I am Neha, and I started 'Yoga for Cure' to help people manage conditions like asthma and stress through simple, mindful movement. I avoid complex jargon and focus on clear, step-by-step instructions—often in both Kannada and English—so you feel confident and safe during every breath.
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