01/4 Breathing exercises to avoid when suffering from COVID
01/4 Ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, constant emphasis has been laid on the importance of strengthening the respiratory system to cut back the risk of infection and severity. Novel coronavirus being the disease of the respiratory system severely damages the lung tissue, leading to breathlessness and mucus formation. Performing breathing exercises before, after and post-covid can clear the air passage and increase lung capacity. While there are several kinds of breathing exercises that you can perform post-infection, there are also some that you should stay clear from. These breathing exercises put too much pressure on your respiratory tract and doing them when suffering from COVID and during the recovery phases might leave you breathless and cause other issues. Here are 3 exercises that you must avoid.
02/4 Kapalbhati Pranayama
The word Kapalbhati is made up of two words – Kapal means skull and bhati mean shining. The breathing exercise generates heat in the body which helps to remove the toxins and waste matters. It improves the metabolic rate and enhances the function of the liver and kidney. But this is a kind of advanced breathing technique, which puts a lot of pressure on your internal organs. It is not recommended for people suffering from asthma, heart issues or any respiratory issues. Doing it when suffering from COVID, particularly in severe case can make you breathless and dizzy. Kapalbhati should also be avoided by those dealing with high blood pressure and ulcers.
03/4 Moorchha Pranayama
The word Moorchha means “fainting”. Therefore this type of breathing exercise is also known as “swooning” or “fainting” breath. While performing this exercise a person has to breathe slowly and retain it for an extended duration. Moorchha Pranayama is another advanced breathing technique that creates a sense of fainting or floating. This exercise provides a subtle feeling of euphoria, but it is not suited for everyone. Only after mastering the basic breathing exercises, one must try it. COVID patients are advised not to try it as holding breath may increase dizziness, which is a symptom of infectious diseases. It will also put additional pressure on your lungs, which is still recovering.
04/4 Bhastrika Pranayama
Bhastrika Pranayama looks similar to Kapalbhati but both are quite different. This breathing exercise requires you to inhale and exhale rapidly, just like a blacksmith blows the bellows. That is why it is also known as bellows breath. This is a simple exercise, but produces too much heat in the body and puts too much pressure on the lungs. It can leave even a healthy person dizzy and gasping for air. COVID patients are highly advised no to attempt this breathing exercise. Even those suffering from heart and high blood pressure problems should avoid it.
