Apart from the breath work we practice during yoga – pranyama – did you know that there are a handful of poses that open the chest and also help with breathing? Practicing yoga anyway will help strengthen your lungs, vinyasa flow yoga especially. Combine this with the poses that stretch the chest and stimulate the lungs and you’re setting yourself up to combat anything the winter months might throw at you (like a lovely hacking cough!).
So here are some of the yoga poses for healthy lungs, chest-opening and improved breathing:
Cobra – Adding this pose into your vinyasa will gently stretch out your lungs AND calm the mind.
Upward-facing dog – Another vinyasa chest-opener with similar benfits to cobra pose. Your legs should be active and lifted off the mat in this one.
Bridge – Stretches the chest AND strengthens your back muscles. Improves posture which will have a positive effect on your everyday breathing. Clasping the hands underneath will further expand the chest.
Wheel – A BIG chest-opener that improves breathing capacity and stretches your shoulders at the same time. Try pushing up into wheel from bridge pose as a foundation.
Fish – Boosts oxygen intake and benefits your lungs and heart. Help keep respiratory disorders away with this one! YOu can do this pose supported by blocks or a bolster for more comfort.
Camel – Opens the chest and also improves digestion and relieves spinal problems.
Triangle – A cleansing pose to expand your chest cavity and clear toxins from the lungs.
