Free Pulmonary Rehab by Yoga program aims to help people with chronic respiratory conditions

Time is running out to register for the free six-week Pulmonary Rehab by Yoga program for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dyspnea on exertion and other breathing conditions. Registration closes on Oct. 1.

The program is open to faculty, staff, students and the public with chronic respiratory concerns seeking to improve their pulmonary health through targeted diaphragmatic breathing, muscle strengthening and spine health.

The program is funded by a Community Service Learning (CSL) grant and is led by Master of Respiratory Care student Yooky Kim, RRT, RYT, who is a trained yoga instructor. Respiratory Care Assistant Professor Rain Rueda, MD, MSHCA, MSRC, RRT, RRT-NPS, is the project mentor.

Kim developed the project to improve the health outcomes of patients with chronic respiratory conditions and other breathing issues through yoga-based pulmonary rehabilitation.

“Yoga, with its emphasis on breathing techniques and postures, has demonstrated significant benefits for individuals with various respiratory conditions,” Rueda said. “However, yoga remains underutilized in pulmonary rehabilitation. (The) project seeks to bridge this gap by providing accessible, evidence-based yoga interventions tailored to the specific needs of these patients."

 The program runs Oct. 15 through Nov. 21 and includes:

• Two sessions per week from 6–7 p.m.; Tuesdays in person and Thursdays on Zoom.
• The expectation that participants will attend all sessions (in-person and online).
• A pre-pulmonary assessment on Oct. 15 and post-pulmonary assessment on Nov. 19 from 5–6 p.m.
• Yoga mats and gear provided.

Click here to register. For more information, email Yooky at kimy5@livemail.uthscsa.edu or Monica at crispgonzale@livemail.uthscsa.edu.