Lung health: 5 Amazing yoga asanas for healthy lungs

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 proved to be the worst year for respiratory health. The virus directly attacked the lungs making the body incapacitated and was fatal in some cases. Due to the rising toxicity in the air, it is getting harder to breathe, which is why, taking care of your lungs should be prioritized. Yoga can be a remedy for the same. Yoga asanas can improve the efficiency of lungs, making them stronger and healthier. It helps to strengthen the capacity of lungs thus clearing the nasal passages. The best time to practice yoga is early morning as it keeps the body agile, energetic and rejuvenated for the rest of the day.

Just like warming up is essential before practicing calisthenics and other forms of exercises, it is required before yoga asanas as well, according to yoga expert Grand Master Aksha, as reported by healthshots. Yogic warm-up comprises slow rotations of the neck, arms, wrists, hips and ankles to warm-up the joints. Brisk walk and stretching exercises are good for mobilizing the muscles. A sufficient warm-up eases the body and prepares it for difficult asanas. Practice these 5 yoga poses for strengthening the chest muscles and improving the health of the lungs.

It is also called the cross-legged sitting pose. To perform this yoga asana, you must sit comfortably and hold your left wrist with your right hand behind your back. Breathe in the air while keeping your shoulders straight and expanding your chest. Now bend forward, breathe out and try to touch your forehead to your right knee. Breathe in and return to the original position.

This asana improves blood circulation in the lungs and successfully cleans the toxins from the lung muscles. This posture improves concentration and treats respiratory problems. It also reduces stress and anxiety.

This is also called the cobra pose. It calms the brain, strengthens lungs and is helpful in curing sciatica pains. This posture gives a lot of respite to asthmatic patients.

Lie flat on your stomach and place your head on the ground. Now keep both the hands on either side of the shoulders, gradually put pressure on the palms and lift up the body from the torso while stretching the back and belly muscles. Straighten the arms and keep shoulder blades pressed against the back.

This asana is popularly known as the fish pose. It helps to open the chest making the body active and refreshed throughout the day.

Lie on your back, placing the hands under the hips and keeping the palms down. Now lift the head and neck up and elevate your chest. Touch the top of the head to the ground. Breathe deeply in this position as long as you can.

Bow pose is easy to perform. Lie down on your stomach and bend the knees towards the hips while holding the ankles with your hands. Now lift the legs and arms as high as possible keeping the face up. Remain in this posture as long as possible.

It is the best pose for removing the toxins from the lungs and can be done anytime. It also makes the chest muscles strong and healthy.

The sitting half spinal twist pose remarkably solves breathing problems, stress and anxiety. It also improves the immune system and relieves backache.

Sit with your legs stretched and feet together. Bend the right leg and then the left foot should go to the corner of the right knee. Now take the left hand backward, stretch the right hand and apply pressure on the knee while using your elbow, holding tightly the right foot. Put the left hand on the knee and look at the back over the left shoulder. Hold on to the pose for a few seconds while keeping the back straight.