Yoga For Breathless: Managing Breathlessness In ILD And Asthma Patients | Health News
Breathlessness, or dyspnoea, is a common issue for people with ILD, asthma, or other lung conditions. It happens when the body struggles to move air in and out, causing feelings of suffocation, fear, and tiredness. In asthma, the airways swell and narrow during a flare-up, making it hard to breathe. In interstitial lung disease, the lung tissue becomes scarred and stiff, so even when you try to breathe normally, it feels shallow. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward learning how to take care of yourself and finding the right methods that work best for your body.
Both ILD and asthma make it difficult to breathe, causing extra strain during walks, climbs, or even brief bursts housework. Doctors still rely on bronchodilators, steroids, and oxygen therapy; yet many patients find yoga adds gentle, lasting ease. By focusing on slow, steady breaths, gentle stretches, and deliberate calm, the practice can boost lung function, lower anxiety, and soften that choking sense of breathlessness. Dr Nana Kunjir, Consultant pulmonologist and intensivist, Sahyadri super speciality hospital, Hadapsar, Pune shares yoga for managing breathlessness in ILD and asthma patients,
Role of Yoga in Managing Breathlessness
Yoga blends gentle movement, focused breathing, and brief meditation, giving people a natural way to ease breathlessness. By training patients to control every inhale and exhale, the practice builds stronger respiratory muscles, widens lung capacity, and spreads oxygen more evenly through the body. Over time, many report smoother airflow, fewer episodes of shortness of breath, and a reassuring sense that they can influence their breathing. On top of that, yoga’s calming rhythm eases the fear and stress that often rush in whenever the air begins to feel thin.
Key Yoga Practices for Managing Breathlessness
1. Breathing Techniques (Pranayama) – Pranayama simply means breath control, and it includes several gentle exercises made to steady the breath and strengthen the lungs. Because these routines emphasize deep, even inhalations and exhalations, they can ease the breathlessness common in asthma and interstitial lung disease. Take Ujjayi, or Victorious Breath: you breathe in through the nose while slightly narrowing the throat, producing a soft sound like distant waves. Doing so slows the rhythm, calms anxiety, and lets each lung section open a little wider. Anulom Vilom, or Alternate Nostril Breathing, asks you to press one nostril shut, inhale, switch sides, and then exhale. Repeating this pattern balances the body’s energy, soothes the nervous system, and gives the breath a steadier, more controlled feel. Asthma patients find it especially useful, since it gently opens the airways and lowers the urge to panic. Another option is Kapalbhati, or Breath of Fire, which features quick, forceful bursts out and almost passive sips in. That rapid exchange helps clear mucus and improves airflow, making it a favorite among asthmatics. People with ILD, however, should approach it slowly so that effort does not backfire.
2. Yoga Postures (Asanas) to Improve Breathing – Certain simple yoga poses can gently open the chest, stretch the lungs, and build the tiny muscles that help us breathe. When you flow through them, the chest and diaphragm expand a bit more, so every breath feels lighter. Take Tadasana, or Mountain Pose; standing tall in it broadens the collarbones and gives the spine a soft lift. It looks plain, yet folks who struggle with breathlessness often say it gives them a moment of steadiness when they need to fill their lungs. Bhujangasana, or Cobra, adds a subtle backbend that also widens the rib cage and eases the airways. People with asthma report that deep breathing feels easier afterward because the pose softens tightness across the chest. Setu Bandhasana (Bridge Pose) lifts the chest, allowing for deeper lung expansion. It strengthens the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, which are key for effective breathing. This pose is beneficial for both asthma and ILD patients as it improves lung efficiency, making breathing smoother.
3. Relaxation and Stress Relief – Yoga is also known for its ability to calm the mind and reduce stress, which is especially important for people with asthma and ILD. Anxiety and stress can worsen breathlessness, creating a cycle that makes it difficult to breathe. Yoga encourages relaxation and mindfulness, helping to reduce the physical and mental tension that can worsen breathing problems. Shavasana, paired with a brief meditation, is a simple yet effective way to reduce breathlessness. In this practice, you lie flat on your back, letting your body relax while you take slow, deep breaths in and out. With each breath, your body and breathing muscles relax, making it easier to breathe. After holding the pose, a few minutes of quiet focus on your breath helps to calm the mind and carry that peacefulness into your daily life. Over time, paying attention to your breath becomes less stressful and more soothing, helping you stay calm and breathe more easily, even when anxiety tries to take over.
Even with all those benefits, yoga should serve as a helpful add-on, not a replacement, for any medicines or therapies a doctor prescribes. Beginners-along with anyone who tires quickly or feels shaky-should start with just a few minutes of simple movement and breathing, then slowly lengthen each session. To stay safe, it helps to learn from a trainer who knows about lung conditions and can offer modifications instead of a one-size-fits-all approach.
