Yoga and lifestyle tips for lung health

One of the valuable gifts yoga has to offer us is the way it helps us open our eyes to whole new ways of moving, breathing, and even living and eating. For many of us, beginning a yoga practice is just the beginning of a long journey of discovery that invites us to look beyond familiar routines and rules we may have grown up with and learn from the wisdom of other healing traditions. If you have ever practiced Yin Yoga, you may have come across the concept of meridian lines, which is part of the ancient knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine. As we stretch along the various meridian lines, we open and stimulate the flow of Qi, Prana, or “life energy,” which maintains the health of our physical organs and subtle energies. However, meridian lines are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to TCM, and in this blog we will explore what TCM has to share with us when it comes to lung care.

Love your lungs

Physically, our lungs absorb oxygen from the air we breathe and transfer it into the bloodstream so we can nourish our organs and muscles. They also emit carbon dioxide, which is considered a “waste gas” that accumulates in the body simply through our everyday actions. The lungs are connected to the diaphragm and vagus nerve and also work in harmony to constantly send messages to the brain about how we are feeling. Fast, shallow breathing indicates that we are stressed, while slow, longer breaths relax the nervous system. People with larger lung capacity are able to send oxygen throughout the body more quickly, promoting mental clarity and improving overall physical health. Yoga breathing or “pranayama” techniques can help improve lung capacity, and you can learn how to practice them effectively with books like “Pranayama” (link removed) and (link removed) by Max Strom. From a TCM perspective, the lungs breathe in fresh, new Qi and expel old, stale Qi, regulating our balance of overall vitality.

Lung energy

According to TCM, each organ has a certain emotional and energetic quality. While anger is said to be stored in the liver and fear in the bladder, the lungs store grief, sadness, distance and loss. If any of these emotions are left unprocessed within us, they can manifest as problems related to the lungs, such as shortness of breath, a “heavy” feeling in the chest, asthma, pneumonia, cough and congestion. Releasing pent-up emotions, stuck or stagnant energy is one of the ways a TCM practitioner may advise a patient to resolve problems with the lungs. Using your voice is a powerful way to release pent-up energy from the lungs - harness the power of sound by choosing a few favorite chants (link removed) and exploring them in a place you feel comfortable. Use the (link removed) to help release emotions you may have been holding on to. If it is difficult to describe or express your feelings, use the (link removed),Complete with 80 cards that include a mini-essay about a different emotion to help you learn more about yourself and how others may be feeling.

The lung meridian lines

Stretching the lung meridian lines can help relieve tension in the physical body but also promote the flow of Qi and subtle energy. Meridian lines carry energy throughout the body, but when they become blocked or stagnant, it can cause an imbalance in our physical, mental or emotional health. A useful analogy to understand this is to think of a garden hose; Normally, water flows continuously through a garden hose and can nourish the plants, but if the hose is kinked or clogged, the water can flow more poorly and the plants and vegetables in the garden can suffer. The same applies to our bodies; A kink or blockage in the meridian lines means we are not receiving all the Qi and life energy we need.

The lung meridian lines run from the outer edges of the chest down the arms to the thumbs, so stretching and massaging along these lines can help replenish the flow of energy. Practice chest-opening yin yoga poses like seal or sphinx, as well as stronger stretches like Prasarita Padottanasana C—a wide-legged forward fold with the hands clasped together behind the back. If you are unable to fold your hands, using a (link removed) is a sustainable way to make the asana more attainable. For your restorative yoga practice, use the (link removed) and (link removed) to support your back while resting your arms on the (link removed). For an extra dose of relaxation, use Ultra Calming (link removed) and (link removed).

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Herbal aid

All holistic health systems have specific herbs for different ailments and problems, and when used regularly, these herbs can be an effective way to prevent seasonal illnesses, improve immune system health, and increase our overall well-being. For thousands of years, India's system of holistic medicine, known as Ayurveda, has recommended the use of herbs such as peppermint, pippali, ginger and bibhitaki to improve lung health, while traditional Chinese medicine has recommended astralagus, fangfeng and atractylodes. Western herbalism recommends herbs that you may even be able to grow at home or find in your garden to improve respiratory health, such as rosemary, oregano, thyme, and sage. Make sure you always have the guidance of a trusted herbalist and combine your fresh herbs and cover them with boiling water in the sustainable portable device (link removed) or opt for (link removed) to soothe your lungs. You can also use (link removed) and (link removed) essential oils to improve respiratory health, which have been extracted from the plants and converted into a concentrated form. Remember to never consume essential oils, only use them for their wonderful scents by adding a few drops to the oil (link removed)

Breathe to improve lung health

Of course, there is no better way to improve your lung health than to work on what your lungs are made for - breathing! Yoga breathing techniques have been used for thousands of years to calm the mind, increase energy, and balance the body. Small breath holds are often used to help with wheezing and asthma, a method known in yogic terms asAntara Kumbhaka. To practice this, hold a small breath for 3 to 5 seconds, then exhale slowly and repeat 5 times. More vigorous breathing exercises such as Bhastrika Pranayama and Kappalabhati breathing, in which air is forcefully pumped through the nasal passages, are also said to improve breathing problems. It's important to work with a qualified teacher when exploring pranayama techniques for the first time, but if you do, make sure you have the props to support a posture conducive to healthy breathing. This (link removed) is a wonderful prop to open your lungs, chest and stomach to support your breathing exercises. Discover the wealth of yogic breathing techniques you can choose from in other books such as (link removed) and (link removed)

Choose one of these practices to start your lung-friendly self-care practice this fall so you can breathe better all season long!