Good health is the first and foremost objective of every individual in this world. But we do not possess good health all the time. We suffer from minor and major ailments, seasonal and/or age related or environment/pollution, infection, allergy related problems. For our curing, we take recourse to treatment, under various systems of medicine, but the natural ways of prevention and cure, are always much better, with no side effects. Breathing is one such method.
Breathing is energy. Breathing supplies over 99% of our entire oxygen and energy supply. Breathing fully is to live fully. Breathing fully is to manifest the full range and power of our inborn potential. Optimal breathing will make us live longer and healthier! However, the majority of adults do not breathe as effectively as they should. We rarely even give our life's breath a second thought.
Poor breathing causes or worsens chronic maladies such as asthma, allergies, anxiety, fatigue, depression, headaches, heart conditions, high blood pressure, sleep loss, obesity, harmful stress, poor mental clarity plus hundreds of other lesser known but equally harmful conditions. All diseases are caused or worsened by poor breathing.
However, breathing is something we can control. We can regulate our breathing into something more beneficial than just exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide. Different healing systems, from different cultures, have long realized the healing benefits of the breath, including yoga, Tai Chi and some forms of meditation. Many holistic practitioners believe that the breath is the link between the physical body and the ethereal mind, and that spiritual insight is possible through conscious breathing. There are various advantages of proper breathing like:
- It increases physical energy.
- It lowers blood pressure and heart rate.
- It reduced lactic acid build-up in muscle tissues.
- It balances levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
- It improves immune system functioning.
- It puts you in a relaxed state of mind and encourages access to creative imagination and learning ability.
- It leads to physical relaxation.
- It releases anxiety and influences better health.
- It provides a healthy bloodstream that transports oxygen and nutrients to your cells.
- Focusing on taking deep and slow breath during an emotional upheaval will direct your body to calm down.
When you focus on breathing, you will change your habit of breathing from your mouth. Since focused breath work brings about relaxation and calmness, you will get rid of the fast and shallow breathing that accompanies worry and stress from your daily activities.
How Do I breathe correctly?
The first rule is breathe through your nose, not your mouth. Although it seems obvious, you would be surprised to know how many people have faulty breathing habits. Most of the time, although we are unaware of it, we are either breathing too quickly or too slowly. We do not take in sufficient oxygen or expel sufficient carbon oxide. As a result toxins build up in our bodies and we begin to get deprived of the rightful quantity of oxygen.
Sit comfortably and raise your ribcage to expand your chest. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Take notice of how your upper chest and abdomen are moving while you breath. Concentrate on your breath and try to breathe in and out gently through the nose. Your upper chest and stomach should be still, allowing the diaphragm to work more efficiently with your abdomen and less with your chest.
With each breath, allow any tension in your body to slip away. Once you are breathing slowly and with your abdominals, sit quietly and enjoy the sensation of physical relaxation.
Deep breathing can have a powerful influence on our health and will do wonders for you. Access the life force by engaging the breathing process and begin natural healing to your mind, body, spirit today! Oxygen is free, but like gold, it is often hard to find. Get in touch with your will power, thoughts and emotions by getting on a regimen of deep breathing.
