complementary medicine

With over 17 million people in the United States alone suffering from Asthma and consequently seeking some form of asthma control
this respiratory disease has proven to be a very debilitating hindrance to optimal health. Breathing is the very essence of life and for this disease to hinder its natural process
an effective Asthma control will be essential.

Characterized by wheezing sounds
tightness in the chest
difficulties breathing and at times cough spells and sore throats
I had my first asthma attack as a kid and up until about 6 years ago had these attacks rather frequently. This made for many sleepless nights (why with reaching for my ventolin inhaler) and boring days locked in doors. This was simply because I didn’t have the cardio-vascular endurance to withstand play coupled with the added fear of allergic reactions to grass
dust or even a friendly pat on the back which could trigger an asthma attack at any time landing me right back in the bed for a week minimum.

This (with acne and lethargy) was my state of health for years till I started to take up Yoga
considering its mild
yet very effective abilities to exercise the body without any vigorous demands. I was introduced to Pranayama
the Sanskrit name for Breathing Exercises and was told of the benefits of such techniques as the Bellows Breath for asthma control and was also shown how such simpler Square breathing exercises
could be beneficial for curing and preventing asthma along with improving my overall health.

The author of the Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga
Swami Vishnu Devananda attested to curing many patients with asthma symptoms by correcting their breathing habits and with the introduction of a proper diet and exercise. Based on my experiences
I will now provide you with similar and up to date information on the tried-and true techniques and methods of attaining successful and permanent asthma control techniques.

The first step to keep in mind whenever you are breathing is to make the conscious effort to ensure that it is done deeply. This can only be attained initially by conscious efforts but
with time and practice it becomes a natural process
like it was always intended to be.

To gain the most amount of air with minimal effort
ensure that when inhaling
you allow for the dome of the abdomen to have an outward curve. Contrary to popular belief and instructions given by vocal coaches and even some doctors
do not raise the shoulders or stiffen the diaphragm when inhaling as this constricts the inflow of air for the lungs.

For a good illustration of natural breathing as described above
simply observe an infant.
You would notice a baby always breathes deeply from the abdomen although it is with a seemingly effortless approach. (I guess that is another reason why the great seers and prophets say “to learn from little children eh?”

A simple test to establish proper breathing habits will be the following exercises. When executing them
ensure that they are done on an empty stomach and in a place with plenty of fresh air. Also
make sure that you breathe through the nose as often as possible.

Asthma Control: Breathing Exercises to Use

1. Inhalation and Exhalation:
-Either laying flat on a bed or sitting erect commence to breathing deeply
using a stop-watch or metronome to keep track of the time. The desired ratio here is 1:2. Minimum time for inhalation should be 4 seconds gradually building up to 16. (With the time for exhalation now being 8 seconds gradually building up to 32) consciously perform this exhilarating exercise for several weeks.

2. Inhalation-Retention-Exhalation
-When you are properly established in exercise #1 the next stage included is retention. In ancient yogic texts
the required ratio would be 1:4:2 (inhalation
retention and exhalation) The minimum schedule again for this exercise is 4 seconds
gradually building up to a maximum of 16 seconds (inhalation that is) Practice this for several days or weeks till you master it and it becomes second nature.

Although
from the indications above
you’d notice that more emphasis is laid on proper breathing over diet as a step for a natural asthma control
do keep in mind that it is advised that you avoid Mucus-Forming foods such as Animal flesh and products
Most Grains
Junk and Processed Foods and even some so-called health-food products like Soy
Yeast
Bragg’s Liquid Aminos and Vinegar.

Abstinence from the products above is a must and a fact that has been in effect in several programs aimed at correcting respiratory health such as the "Breath Retaining Program For Asthmatics" developed by the Russian
Dr. Buteyko. Within weeks of adhering to this advice
many chronic asthmatics have been able to give up the use of ventolin inhalers.

Replace these items with Fruits
Leafy and Root Vegetables and if desired less harmful whole grains like Brown rice
Quinoa
Amaranth and Millet occasionally.

Also make sure to combine your meals properly and not to consume liquids of any kinds while eating so as not to constrict proper movement of the visceral organs that lie underneath the all important diaphragm. In addition
make the effort to avoid the use of microwaves
conventionally grown produce and polluted tap water for your optimal health.

Asthma need not be a part of your life anymore; you too can effectively apply these natural asthma control methods with the steps outlined above. So empower yourself for a successful asthma control today with proper breathing and dietetic habits.