A worldwide holiday known as International Day of Yoga is observed on June 21 every year. This year, the eighth International Day of Yoga will be observed globally. In December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established this day. The International Day of Yoga is a global celebration that takes place in all nations. People engage in yoga, meditation, debate, and a range of cultural performances to spread the word about the significance of the day. Yoga is effective on three levels: first, it can increase immunity; second, it can help you avoid despair; and third, it can help you create new goals for the entire world community so that we can be more powerful.
This year the theme of the International day of Yoga 2023 is “one world, one health resonance with the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva kutumbakam’. Yoga is an Indian physical, mental, or spiritual discipline that covers an entire way of life. Yoga is not just about becoming in shape; it also helps you find your senses and your identity. The name “Yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word “yoga,” which means “join, unite, or union of the body.” In today’s fast-paced world, where pollution and stress levels are on the rise, maintaining optimal lung health has become more important than ever.
Yoga has become an effective method for boosting lung health due to its focus on deep breathing and attentive movement. Dr. Virendra Singh has become a prominent specialist in using yoga as a means to support healthy lungs. By allowing for the intake of oxygen and the expulsion of carbon dioxide, the lungs play a critical part in our general health. However, factors including pollution, sedentary lifestyles, and unhealthy habits can have a negative impact on lung function and cause respiratory problems. Yoga offers numerous benefits for lung health, supporting optimal respiratory function and overall well-being. Here are some major advantages of including yoga in your way of life to support healthy lungs:-
- Enhanced lung efficiency:- Yoga techniques that assist clear the nasal passages, removing pollutants, and enhancing general lung function include Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath) and Anulom Vilom (Alternate Nostril Breathing). These techniques can help clear congested areas, increase airway flow, and improve the body’s capacity to oxygenate blood.
- Boosted immune function:- A strong immune system is supported by regular yoga practice. Yoga helps increase your body’s protection against respiratory infections and disorders by lowering stress, boosting circulation, and improving general well-being. A healthy immune system promotes faster recovery and reduces the risk of lung-related illnesses.
- Improved lung function for the respiratory condition:- Yoga has shown encouraging outcomes in treating and enhancing lung function in people with respiratory disorders such as Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchitis. Yoga can aid with symptom relief, lowering the frequency of flare-ups, and improving the general quality of life.
- Improved oxygenation and circulation:- Yoga enhances oxygenation and blood circulation throughout the body, especially the lungs, through deep breathing and mild stretching. The general well-being and energy of the lungs can be improved by increasing the flow of oxygen to the tissues and removing pollutants.
- Prevention of respiratory infections:- Regular yoga practice can improve immune function, lowering your risk of respiratory infections. Yoga helps strengthen the body’s natural defenses against infections, lowering the risk of respiratory ailments by promoting general wellness and vigor.
- Promotion of lung detoxification:- The process of detoxification is aided by yoga’s emphasis on deep breathing and twisting poses, which help to clear toxins and impurities from the lungs. This cleansing effect can contribute to improved respiratory health and lung function.
- Reduction of Asthma symptoms:- According to studies, yoga can help with asthma symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Yoga can help people with Asthma breathe better, reduce inflammation, and have better respiratory control by combining deep breathing exercises with gentle movements
- Alleviation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):- COPD is a lung condition that improves over time and can make breathing extremely difficult. Yoga, especially gentle and modified poses, can help control the symptoms of COPD, lessen shortness of breath, and increase exercise tolerance. Additionally, COPD-related anxiety and despair can be managed with the help of yoga’s relaxing techniques.
The Link between Yoga and Lung Health:-
Yoga offers a variety of advantages that can improve lung health and assist in managing respiratory diseases thanks to its holistic approach to health. Deep breathing exercises, gentle motions, and relaxation methods are all incorporated into the yoga practice, which can build respiratory muscle strength, improve lung function, and enhance overall well-being. Let’s look at how yoga can help with lung disease treatment, management, and prevention.
1 – Prevention and maintenance of lung health:-
- Deep breathing techniques:- Exercises like diaphragmatic breathing and Kapalabhati (Skull Shining Breath), which increase lung capacity, improve oxygen intake, and strengthen the respiratory muscles, are stressed in yoga.
- Strengthening of respiratory muscles:- The lungs, intercostal muscles, and auxiliary respiratory muscles are all engaged and strengthened through yoga postures and targeted breathing exercises. These muscles can be strengthened to support ideal breathing mechanics, improve lung ventilation, and advance lung health.
2 – Managing lung disease
- Asthma management:- Individuals with asthma may find yoga to be a useful additional therapy. Alternate nostril breathing (Anulom Vilom), moderate yoga poses, and other controlled breathing practices can help manage breathing patterns, lessen asthma symptoms, and improve overall respiratory control.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD):- COPD sufferers who practice yoga can get a lot from it. Gentle yoga exercises catered to their individual requirements can assist improve lung function, lessen shortness of breath, and increase the quality of life. The breathing exercises used in yoga can help with managing COPD-related stress and anxiety.
- Respiratory rehabilitation:- Yoga can be a useful form of rehabilitation for people getting better from lung disorders, operations, or respiratory infections. Under the supervision of medical specialists, gentle yoga exercises can enhance recovery by restoring lung function and breathing capacity.
