Nearly 9 million children in the United States suffer from asthma, and studies have shown that yoga can make it easier for them to cope with the illness. Asthma is a chronic condition that triggers inflammation in the airways, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty with breathing, and tightness in the chest. Due to the fact that children have smaller airways than adults, their asthma attacks are often more serious.

Why Yoga Helps Children with Asthma

• Yoga fights stress and increases awareness by relaxing the mind and the body. As children learn to recognize the physical and emotional feelings that trigger asthma attacks, they gain a feeling of control and confidence.

• Yogic breathing, or pranayama, teaches children how to use their rib cage, chest, diaphragm, throat, and nasal cavity to bring oxygen into the body and to release harmful carbon dioxide. Proper breathing techniques make the lungs stronger and more efficient.

• Due to the fact that exercise can trigger asthma attacks, physical exertion puts children at risk. Hatha Yoga is a safe way for them to get exercise and stay in shape. Read the rest of this entry »