In a recent article in the NY Times, Anahad O’Connor writes that, “Two new studies have found that people with sleep apnea, a common disorder that causes snoring, fatigue and dangerous pauses in breathing at night, have a higher risk of cancer.”  The disorder deprives the body of oxygen at night.  Disturbed sleep, disordered breathing and lack of oxygen causes many other health problems, including obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  While sleep apnea is a medical condition that needs attention from your doctor, there are a couple of yoga practices that might help improve the quality of sleep, the quality of breathing, and overall well-being.*

According to sleep experts, a good night’s sleep regulates the body’s cardiovascular and metabolic systems, as well as mood.  The immune system is enhanced as well as memory.  According to yoga masters, the practice of Yoga Nidra -- a state of deep relaxation where the body/mind imitates sleep, while staying conscious -- helps rejuvenate the body and the mind, while releasing tension and stress in the body.  Yoga Nidra is said to be one of the most effective relaxation techniques known to man. 

Yoga Nidra stimulates sleep, but is not actual sleep.  A yoga instructor or a recorded voice guides you through the process, releasing tension from the body, then the mind, and finally resting in a state where the mind is aware but separate from its usual thoughts rushing around.  It is in this space, where the body can heal, the immune system enhanced and mental tensions and conflicts can find resolve.  People who practice this regularly have noted profound improvements in their quality of sleep and in the quality of their well being.

A common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the use of the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine.  This machine is designed to keep the airways open during sleep so that breathing is maintained.  Open breathing passageways helps to regulate the body’s breathing mechanisms, which are absent or imbalanced during sleep.  Pranayama is a general practice that helps to improve the quality of breathing, and certain techniques can increase the lungs’ capacity and oxygen intake up to seven times, as well as exercise the throat.  Some studies show that throat exercises help reduce the sleep apnea.  Learning some breathing techniques and practicing them during waking hours may help counter the effects of reduced blood oxygenation during sleep.

My awesome father-in-law suffered from sleep apnea, and unfortunately passed away from cancer, which we only discovered seven weeks before his passing.  While yoga is not a miracle cure for all diseases, its practice certainly helps the body recover from physical and environmental stress, and the mind release its emotional tension.  These are wonderful ways to enhance the quality of your life regardless of any conditions and disorders you suffer.

* The practice of yoga techniques such as Yoga Nidra and Pranayama are currently being researched in how it aids a variety of health conditions, and the benefits mentioned are based on current research, not solely specific to sleep apnea.