How can I improve my lifestyle to improve my asthma?

Every cell within our body depends on an abundant supply of
oxygen for proper metabolism and vitality.

Breathing

Some Causes of Breathing Problems

1. Hereditary weakness may make our lungs or other organs of
respiratory apparatus weak points in our system. Thus when
tired, overworked, anxious or stressed, these parts of the body
will start to malfunction. 

2. Environmental factors may also aggravate the condition. Cold
and humid weather tend to accentuate breathing problems. Pollen
and other particles in the air may cause allergic reactions.
Occupational conditions such as working in a dusty area or in a
smoke filled room may also aggravate the problem. Pollution
irritates our nasal passage and lungs. Smoking cigarettes
obviously damages our lungs, cutting off our supply of oxygen.

3. An over production of mucus clogs up the breathing passages,
obstructing breathing. Certain foods tend to cause excess mucus. Please send me a 'foods that suit me' questionnaire.

4. A lack of sufficient liquid intake causes the mucus to
thicken and cling to the lungs and other breathing passages.
This creates a favourable environment for microbes to reproduce.
Drink 2 litres of water a day for a man or 1.5 litres if you are a woman. 

5. Blockages in the spinal vertebrae or tension in the muscles
of the upper back may also obstruct the flow of nerve impulses
and bio energy to the lungs. This may inhibit the proper
functioning of the lungs. Which yoga exercise will  help me?

6. Emotional blockages are directly connected with our
breathing. People, who experience anxiety, depression, fear,
nervous tension or a poor self-image, tend to subconsciously
hold their breath. Thus their breathing is tense, shallow, and
sometimes spasmodic. Long-term emotional blockages may also
affect the adrenal glands and thus hormonal disorders may also
play their part in the problem. Negative emotions also depress
or disturb the functioning of the immune system. Meditation may help, how can I meditate better?
As a health supplement one can use formulations such as St. Johns Wort and Hypericin (De-stress capsules).

7. A lack of proper education in breathing is another reason why
people suffer from breathing problems. It is entirely possible
for us to learn to use our lungs more effectively for greater
energy, vitality, peace and clarity of mind. This should be
learned from an experienced breath coach. For more information on Yoga and better breathing click here.

Some Solutions

1. Environmental & Habitual Factors

a. Surround yourself with large green leafed plants, which
produce oxygen and absorb pollution. b. Get out of the city
frequently. Go the sea or mountains and breathe fresh clean air.
c. Use regular deep breathing to clean out and rejuvenate your
lungs. d. Deep breathing while walking can clean out a
considerable amount of pollution from the lungs. e. If you
smoke, then - love yourself - and stop. 

2. Dietary Guidelines

Which foods would help my asthma?

Fill in the Ayurvedic Food questionnaire

3. Facing emotional factors is essential for healing the cause
of the breathing problems. There are various ways in which we
can find relief from these emotional factors and then eventually
analyse them and transcend them.

a. Self-analysis or
objective-self observation can free us from various emotional
attachments and fears.

b. Positive thinking, affirmations, and
positive thought projection can neutralize negative emotions and
tendencies.

c. Meditation. How can I meditate better?


4. Exercises and Techniques 

A. With the help of various exercises and techniques we seek to:
1. Remove the blockages and tensions from the upper back and
chest area. 2. Develop greater freedom and control over the
muscles of breathing. 3. Bring blood and healing energies to the
chest area. 4. Open up the nasal passages if they are blocked.
5. Stimulate the harmonious functioning of the adrenal glands
and immune system.

B. Techniques will need the guidance of an experienced coach
are: 1. To start with we can simply practice deep breathing
exercises. These exercises will give us relief from tension and
may even bring the cause for our emotional tension to the
surface so that we may see it more clearly and objectively. 2.
Exercises for the upper back and chest can also bring
considerable relief from emotional tensions. 3. Deep relaxation
techniques are also very effective for relaxing the whole system
so that the muscles of breathing may function more freely. 4. In
guided deep relaxation sessions the source of the emotional
blockages can be researched through regression. Which yoga exercise will help me?


Adapted from the forthcoming "Self Healing" by Robert Elias
Najemy and from research carried our by The Asthmacentre Professionals. 
Robert Elias’s book "The Psychology of Happiness" (ISBN
0-9710116-0-5) is available at http://www.amazon.com and
http://www.HolisticHarmony.com.  His writings can be viewed at
http://www.HolisticHarmony.com where you can also download FREE
articles and e-books.

About the author:
Robert Elias Najemy is the author of over 600 articles, 400
lecture cassettes on Human Harmony and 20 books, which have sold
over 100,000 copies. He is the Founder and director of the
Center for Harmonious Living in Greece with 3700 members. His
book The Psychology of Happiness; ISBN 0-9710116-0-5 is
available at www.amazon.com and http://www.HolisticHarmony.com.
where you can view and download FREE articles and e-books.