When I started writing this article it was going to be about stress release and energy boosting, but as I began to write, I realized that everything starts and ends with our breath. Our breathing is what keeps our heart beating, our brain working and the blood flowing through our veins. Without breath we have no life.
We all know how to breathe It’s a natural spontaneous process. Unfortunately, due to factors such as stress, pollution and diminishing exercise, our bodies have gotten into the habit of shallow breathing. Shallow breathing does not supply our bodies with sufficient oxygen to allow it to operate at peak performance. Unfortunately the consequence of this is not as recognizable as other body signals. If we require water we get thirsty and if we need food we get hungry. Improper breathing also has other affects, such as a limited ability to deal with stress, sluggishness, and inability to concentrate.
Breathing is one of the most important things we can do to improve both our physical and emotional well-being. Proper breathing techniques are one of the quickest and easiest ways to regenerate our life force. Life Force Breathing Practice is a very simple concept. Sitting or lying in a comfortable position, breathe deeply through you nose, and exhale through your mouth. This is a very effective way of bringing oxygen fully into your body, releasing that which we no longer need (CO2).
For those of you who enjoy jogging or aerobic type activities it is important to breathe in this way to avoid hyperventilating.
It has been medically proven that deep meditative breathing practice done for just 15 minutes is the equivalent of an hour and a half of deep sleep. Which for those of you with busy lifestyles is an added bonus as this can be used to rejuvenate your life force in a very short amount of time. The benefits of life force meditative breathing practices include:
• Increased blood flow and slower heart rate.
• Bringing blood pressure back to the normal range.
• Reduction in anxiety by lowering the levels of blood lactate.
• Decreased muscle tension and headaches.
• Building self-confidence.
• Increased serotonin production; which influences mood and behavior (low levels of serotonin are linked to depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches).
• Helps in chronic diseases like allergies, arthritis, etc.
• Reduced PMS symptoms
• Helps in post operative healing
• Enhanced immune system, and an increasing of “natural killer cells” which kill bacteria and cancer cells.
• Reduced activity of viruses and emotional distress.
Our breath was meant to match the natural rhythms of the earth. Just take a look at the ocean. The tide comes in, there is a brief pause and the tide goes back out again. Our breath should also have a natural rhythm. It should flow in, after which there is a brief stillness and then it flows back out again.
So when you are feeling anxiety or find your mind racing remember to breathe. Take a long slow…deep breath. As you breathe in concentrate on pushing your belly out allowing the air to fully expand your lungs, hold for a moment and slowly breathe out. Do this for at least three breaths. You will be amazed to how quickly your mind clears and the situation around you begins to feel less intense and, congratulations, you have just taken your first step into a meditative state.
To ensure you are breathing optimally it is important to remember to fully inflate your diaphragm. To do this stand in front of a mirror with your hands placed at the bottom of your rib cage. Breathe in and out ensuring your hands separate. If you shoulders start to rise imagine that you have weights attached to your hands.
As for the smokers out there, there are a myriad of reasons that people smoke. It is my belief that one of the reasons it feels so good, and people struggle so to quit, is the act of smoking actually mimics how our lungs feel when we are breathing deeply. This actually fools our body into thinking we are getting enough oxygen, at least momentarily.
As you are practicing your new breathing techniques remember to get enough fresh quality air, which will uplift your spirits, revitalize your body and help you achieve optimum health. Fresh air is “alive” with both positive and negative ions which refresh our cells, lower body temperature, improve lung functioning and kill bacteria in the air.
Not only does indoor air not have any of these negative ions essential for high energy and a positive mood, but it also contains a number of pollutants. Just step out of your house and into a warm sunny day and notice how much better you feel. Fortunately there are several ways to improve the air quality in your home.
1. Get a room ion generator and put it in the room you use the most.
2. Open your windows and fill your lungs with fresh clean air.
3. Place several house plants in your home, thus providing oxygen and filtering indoor pollutants.
4. Put a waterfall in your home, generating negative ions.
However, the most beneficial thing you can do is step outside and smell the roses. It will do you a world of good.
