Stop Snoring with Yoga

Laugh, and the world laughs with you, snore, and you sleep alone!

Snoring is generally brushed aside with a few jokes. But it is a serious and widespread problem affecting both the snorer and the person subjected to it. The former can suffer from stroke and heart conditions, while sleepless nights affect the latter.

The Science Behind Snoring

During sleep, the muscles at the back of the throat relax. As a result, this area sometimes narrows and even shuts off temporarily. While breathing, the air passes through the narrow opening more quickly, causing the surrounding tissue to vibrate. The result? Snoring. The more limited the airway, the more the tissue vibrates, and the louder the snoring.

Snoring can be caused by stress, circulatory problems, obesity, and sinus and nasal problems. Genetics may also play a role. Smoking or alcohol consumption, poor dietary habits, certain medications, and allergies, a swollen tongue or tonsils, and advancing age can also contribute to the problem.

How does snoring affect your life?

Snoring leads to a lack of good quality sleep, sleep apnea, or temporary cessation of breathing. In addition, gasping and choking can occur due to irregular or obstructed breathing, and the throat may become sore.

There is also an increased susceptibility to chronic diseases like hypertension and stroke. Some side effects include anger, irritability, inability to focus, and reduced libido. You may also become clumsy or inattentive during the day. For those engaged in certain professions, it can turn into a matter of life and death. Motorists and machine operators, for instance, need a certain amount of quality sleep.

In general, we can all agree that snoring is an affliction that is best eliminated.

Stop Snoring Naturally with Yoga

Today, there are several snoring treatment devices and solutions, including surgery. However, consider the holistic approach of yoga for your snoring problems. Yoga

• Is safe and free from side-effects
• Helps reduce or regulate snoring by decongesting the breathing canal
• Can be practiced in conjunction with any treatment you may be undergoing.

To stop the roaring…um snoring, try these yoga asanas and pranayamas:

Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)

• Opens up the chest and clears the lungs
• Helps improve the flow of oxygen and blood circulation

Dhanurasana (Bow Pose)

• Helps regulate breathing
• Opens up the chest muscles to allow deeper inhalations and exhalations

Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath)

• Helps increase concentration
• Relieves anger and tension
• Helps reduce blood pressure

Ujjayi Pranayama (Victory Breath Technique)

• Helps strengthen the muscles of the throat and face
• Helps regulate sleep patterns
• Calms the mind

Nadi Shodhan Pranayama (Alternate-Nostril Breathing)

• Helps to cleanse the circulation channels
• Helps to alleviate throat infections
• Helps regulate snoring and sleep apnea problems

Kapal Bhati (Skull-Shining Breathing technique)

• Helps cleanse the cranial sinus
• Helps improve sleep

Simha Garjasana (Roaring Lion Pose)

• Exercises the tongue
• Relaxes the neck muscles
• Helps prevent a sore throat
• Stimulates the platysma, i.e., the muscles in front of the throat

Chanting Om

• Induces sound sleep
• Improves concentration
• The vibrations generated by chanting ‘Om’ relax every cell in the body.

Stop the snore before your partner shows you the door!

Snoring affects multiple aspects of your health and well-being. Seek prompt measures for yourself or your partner to learn how to stop snoring. Along with yoga and meditation, develop healthy and regular sleep and diet patterns. If possible, incorporate an Ayurvedic diet.

A combination of all of the above can not only stop snoring but also improve overall health.