Q: Does pranayama improve hair regrowth?
A: Pranayama can improve oxygen saturation and oxygen uptake. It can also improve circulation and overall health. Both circulation and general health affect hair growth and regrowth.
Q: Does pranayama help COPD patients? OR Can pranayama improve symptoms of COPD?
A: The short answer is yes. Breathing practices help people suffering from COPD.
The long answer is:
The Mayo Clinic describes COPD as “Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus (sputum) production, and wheezing. It’s typically caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and a variety of other conditions.”
Yoga describes inflammation as a dysfunction of the heart. Cooling breath aids in reducing inflammation. Deepening and strengthening your breath calms and gives a sense of ease, which is in short supply for many suffering from COPD. Using various pranayama techniques can improve your lung and heart health. It can cause an improvement in outlook and overall mood as well. A pranayama practice may help with your COPD symptoms, but it will also help with the mental-emotional strain of a diagnosis like COPD.
Q: Can pranayama cure cancer?
A: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found in The National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health states that “Many debilitating symptoms arise from cancer and its treatment that are often unrelieved by established methods. Pranayama, a series of yogic breathing techniques, may improve cancer-related symptoms and quality of life, but it has not been studied for this purpose.”
Yoga looks at cancer like this:
Cancer cells are present in every living body. The problem starts when the cancer cells are healthy enough, and the environment supports them in organizing. Organized cancer cells are more challenging for the body to fight naturally. If the body is imbalanced enough to allow for the organization and strengthening of these cancer clusters, then cancer can take root.
Yoga does not cure cancer. Yoga strengthens bodies on all levels making it more difficult for cancer to take root or continue to thrive. Yoga helps your body fight cancer. It also supports the body in healing from cancer and cancer treatment.
If you already suffer the effects of a robust cancer cluster, talk to your doctor about adding or continuing your practice. A team approach is always a great idea.
Q: What are the benefits of pranayama post-heart attack?
A: After a heart attack, there are two main focuses. Healing from the event and preventing another event. Your lungs and your heart are partners. Your heart rate will change as the rate of your breath changes. Pranayama allows you to consciously manipulate the length, strength, and direction of your breath. Also, improved circulation, oxygenation, and diaphragmatic breathing strengthen your vagal nerve reducing the stress response. Such efforts move the body into the parasympathetic nervous system allowing the body to begin the healing process. This is also where you sleep better, digest your food and relax. Pranayama can help you move into this healing space, and it can help you stay there for more extended periods.