Yoga Breathing Exercises

(July 25, 2008)

My wife (42 yrs) is having kidney shrinkage and is currently under going peritoneal dialysis twice a day. Is it possible to enlarge the size of kidney with required urine outlet by doing breathing exercise everyday?

Yoga is a good tool in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and can help in dealing with crippling pain or any debilitating diseases. However yoga as a form of exercise is not supposed to be a primary mode of medication for curing any disease. In addition to the treatment, yoga must be recommended by the doctor or must be advocated by the medical practitioner in order to rule out side effects of any medication. If the doctor recommends yoga as a complementary form of treatment then the best form of instrument to control any disorders in the kidneys is Pranayama. The correct art of breathing is regarded as the most significant of all procedures in the body as all forms of functions are dependent on it. Prana which is known as the life force energy and by altering the normal course of prana through intentionally conceived control is known as Pranayama. In view of its significance, yoga advocators accentuate on the need of steady practice of Pranayama for the right compatibility of the body, the mind and the spirit.
Pranayama breathing exercises are competent of dealing with all types of bodily and psychological complaints efficaciously. In addition to performing the alternate nostril breathing adopt a 20 minute session daily of Pranayama. The twenty minutes must comprise Bhastrika Pranayama for approximately 3 to 5 minutes, Kapalbhati and Pranayama for around 5 to 10, Bahayya kumbhak Pranayama for at least 2 to 3 minutes, the anulom-vilom Pranayama for 5 minutes, the Bhramri Pranayama for 2 minutes, chanting for at least 3 times the Nadi Shodhan comprising four to 12 cycles. A disciplined daily practice of all types of Pranayama will help to regain lost strength and also increase faster healing. Pranayama is also known as a preventative in avoiding future ailments.
Due to the physical condition of the patient, it is advisable not to perform any types of yogasanas till the Pranayama brings about beneficial results. Once the patient is off dialysis then perhaps after the doctor’s recommendation certain yogasanas can be performed under a yoga instructor's guidance. Pranayama is known to address all forms of disorders in the physical self and in the mind. It is known to boost the immunity and help in the detoxification of waste products in a much more effective manner. It is also possible to achieve spiritual ability due to the energizing of the energy centers with the daily practice of Pranayama that helps in arousing this energy.

Submitted by C D on July 25, 2008 at 05:21