In Iyengar Yoga a number of asanas are traditionally used to support the chest, improve mobility of the thoracic region, and cultivate a steadier, less restricted breath.

Asanas commonly associated with respiratory support

1. Supported Śavāsana

• Bolsters/support under the torso can create a gentle opening across the chest.
• Useful for observing the breath without forcing it.
• Often appropriate when breathlessness or fatigue makes more active practice difficult.

2. Supta Baddha Koṇāsana

• With appropriate support, encourages expansion through the abdomen, ribs and chest.
• Traditionally used as a restorative pose for people experiencing respiratory difficulty.

3. Setu Bandha Sarvāṅgāsana — supported

• A supported backbend can broaden the front chest and encourage thoracic extension.
• In Iyengar practice, props are often important in adapting the pose for respiratory conditions.

4. Viparīta Daṇḍāsana — supported

• Particularly associated with opening the upper chest and increasing mobility around the sternum and rib cage.
• Usually requires careful preparation and appropriate support.

5. Adho Mukha Śvānāsana

• Can encourage length through the spine and freedom around the shoulder girdle and chest.
• Depending on the person’s condition, it may be practised with hands elevated or other modifications.

6. Uttānāsana — supported

• A supported forward extension can help quieten the nervous system and allow the breath to settle.
• The exact effect varies considerably with the individual’s respiratory state.

7. Paścimottānāsana — supported

• Traditionally used in restorative sequences to quieten and regulate breathing.
• Support under the abdomen/chest can make the pose more accessible.

8. Ardha Chandrāsana / standing poses

• Standing asanas can develop strength and mobility of the trunk and rib cage.
• In respiratory practice, they may be useful when breathlessness is associated with reduced physical capacity.

Respiratory conditions

For respiratory conditions, the emphasis is often less on “doing poses for the lungs” and more on creating space for breathing through:

• opening the sternum and upper chest
• mobilising the thoracic spine
• freeing the diaphragm and abdominal region
• reducing unnecessary tension in the neck, shoulders and face
• developing a quiet, non-grasping inhalation
• using props so the practitioner does not struggle for breath.

Prāṇāyāma

Traditional yoga therapy also places considerable emphasis on prāṇāyāma, but this needs to be approached carefully with asthma or significant breathlessness.

More dynamic practices such as kapālabhāti and bhastrikā are generally not a place to begin with. Gentle observation of natural breathing, supported exhalation, and eventually carefully taught prāṇāyāma may be more appropriate.

During or immediately after breathlessness

Aim: reduce effort, create space around the chest and allow breathing to settle.

Keep the practice very quiet. Avoid demanding standing poses, strong backbends, inversions that increase anxiety or effort, and all forceful prāṇāyāma.

Possible sequence:

1. Supported Śavāsana — 5–10 min
   Upper back supported if this makes breathing easier.
2. Supta Baddha Koṇāsana — 5–10 min
   Fully supported, with particular attention to a relaxed abdomen and throat.
3. Supported Setu Bandha Sarvāṅgāsana — 3–5 min
   Only if the position makes breathing easier rather than more difficult.
4. Viparīta Karaṇī — 5–10 min
   Legs supported and chest comfortable.
5. Śavāsana — 5–10 min

If this is an acute asthma attack or significant unexplained breathlessness, asanas should not replace the person’s prescribed medical treatment or emergency plan.

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Recovery phase

Once the student is breathing comfortably again, the emphasis can shift towards mobilising the thoracic spine and developing freedom in the chest and shoulder girdle.

Suggested sequence

1. Supta Baddha Koṇāsana
5 minutes

2. Adho Mukha Śvānāsana
30–60 seconds × 2
Use a chair or blocks where helpful.

3. Uttānāsana — supported
1–2 minutes
Head supported; encourage quiet breathing.

4. Utthita Trikoṇāsana
30–45 seconds each side

5. Utthita Pārśvakoṇāsana
30–45 seconds each side

6. Adho Mukha Śvānāsana
Repeat briefly.

7. Supported Setu Bandha Sarvāṅgāsana
3–5 minutes

8. Viparīta Daṇḍāsana over a chair
1–3 minutes initially

9. Paścimottānāsana — supported
2–4 minutes

10. Śavāsana
8–10 minutes

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Maintenance practice

For a student who is stable and accustomed to yoga, the practice can become more active.

Standing and chest-opening work

• Utthita Trikoṇāsana
• Utthita Pārśvakoṇāsana
• Ardha Chandrāsana
• Vīrabhadrāsana I
• Vīrabhadrāsana II
• Prasārita Pādottānāsana
• Adho Mukha Śvānāsana

Follow with:

• Śalabhāsana variations
• Bhujangāsana
• Urdhva Mukha Śvānāsana, if appropriate
• Setu Bandha Sarvāṅgāsana
• Supported Viparīta Daṇḍāsana
• Sarvāṅgāsana / Halāsana only where the student is experienced and the inversions are appropriate.

Prāṇāyāma — a cautious progression

Separate this from the asana sequence rather than assuming that “more breathing exercises” are necessarily beneficial.

A conservative progression might be:

Initially:

• observe the natural breath
• avoid manipulating it
• avoid breath retention
• avoid force
• avoid deliberately increasing tidal volume.

Practices such as Ujjāyī or other forms of controlled breathing may be introduced individually.