呼吸肌和肺活量的優劣，關係著人體的健康情形。眾多的研究指出，藉由呼吸肌訓練可以提升運動表現，瑜伽運動主要強調有意識的操作身體呼吸，以緩慢、深沉的方式吸入更多的氧氣，並經由長期的練習來增加肺活量、提高肺功能；瑜伽練習中的調息、呼吸和伸展的姿勢，使呼吸肌耐力增加、放鬆胸部肌肉、增強呼吸肌肌力且擴張肺部。瑜伽運動提供針對不同族群的呼吸肌與肺功能之影響，及增進心肺耐力的另一種方法。統整文獻結果指出，不論短期或長期的瑜珈運動介入，對呼吸肌力（MIP、MEP）和肺功能（FVC、FEV_1）指標均有改善作用。

The strength of respiratory muscles and vital capacity of lungs are related to the health of humans. Studies have shown that athletic performance can be improved through respiratory muscle training. Besides, yoga is an exercise focusing on conscious respiratory control to inhale more oxygen slowly and deeply, and to increase the vital capacity and lung function through long-term practice. The breathing control, respiration and stretching in yoga could enhance the respiratory capacity and relax muscles in the chest, which strengthen respiratory muscles and expand lung capacity. This study reviewed the effects of yoga on respiratory muscle and lung function in different population, and provided alternatives to physical activities for the public in general and instructors of physical education. The available literature indicated that either short-term or long-term intervention of yoga contributes to improve the respiratory muscle strength (MIP, MEP) and pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1) in humans.