Practicing mindful breathing (pranayama) alongside physical yoga postures (asanas) can help manage COPD symptoms.
When you live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), yoga may help you in several ways.
It promotes deep breathing, reduces anxiety, maintains muscles, and increases flexibility. Plus, the breathing techniques used in yoga can help you learn to regulate your breathing.
Yoga involves both pranayama and asanas.
Pranayama refers to controlling your breathing, which can strengthen your diaphragm. Asanas are yoga poses used for strengthening and lengthening muscles. These help keep you more mobile and flexible.