Asthma and Hot Yoga

Hi Jackie

By and large the experience is good for asthmatics. Especially if the air exchange systems are good. The humidity in the air really brings ease to your breathing. I hope others with asthma can share their experiences. I have only anecdotal evidence from my students.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Hi Alyssa

Hmmm. Eagle eh? I get the sense that most people pulling their arms down is less of a chest or lung opening pose than many others. The poses with arms over head tend to be the ones that create that opening especially with precision alignment techniques employed. The classic Bikram pose that is referred to for asthma is Tuladandasana. But there are others that have a similar pose mechanism.

Actually I don’t think that anyone’s asthma would be cured if they were to only do Eagle pose! 😉 There has to be a balance in approach and that’s why we have a series of poses. I think the yoga has a holistic effect of creating better systemic function.

Anyway just thought I’d throw that into the ring.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

I’m looking forward to the day when Bikram Yoga starts to ease my asthma!!! There are many days when my allergies are really bothering me that breathing through my nose is very difficult. However, it’s those days that I often have my best practices because I stay so focused and mindful of my breathing.

Where I find I struggle though, is in the floor series. The second part of Locust pose is the worst…pushing down into my arms, not so bad; it’s the pressure on my chest when I press down into my shoulders where I seem to end up on the verge of a full asthma attack!! On bad days, no amount of mindful breathing seems to help…ugh!!

Locust will conquer over the asthma!!! I know it will…just hope it’s sooner than later….LOL!!!

Gabrielle….

Thanks so much for your comments. What a difference that makes! I’ve also become more mindful of not letting my shoulders pinch together during other compression poses. I have now made it through a couple classes without even a hit of an oncoming asthma attach!!!