Breathing - I

In our journey to integrated growth of mind, body and spirit we have discussed basic meditation techniques and identified some balanced foods which will benefit us greatly if blended into our dietary habits. The next four posts will be on breathing.

In our hectic lifestyle, we have forgotten how to breathe. We have fallen into the habit of shallow breathing with our chest. Our breathing has become jerky and not rhythmic. How many times a day do we get into stressful situation and hold our breath.? And then we exhale with a big whoosh.We will have to relearn breathing. 

Breathing should be rhythmic - inhaling and exhaling in a regular pattern - say 4 seconds for inhaling followed by 4 seconds of exhaling and repeating the cycle. 

Breathing must be done with your belly diaphragm and not with your chest. The belly works like a bellow. With belly breathing the lungs get deeply filled with fresh air when we inhale. Also while exhaling it squeezes out the carbon dioxide gas completely from our lungs.

Breathing must be done through the nose and not the mouth - particularly while inhaling mouth must be closed. Our nose has fine hair filter which captures suspended particles and some macro germs from the air we inhale.

The breathing cycle, 4 second inhaling 4 second exhaling, which has been described above is for routine breathing.  We can slow it down further with practice and individual comfort level. 

We will discuss three breathing exercises where we will bring in some variations. These can be practised twice a day for 5 minutes or longer twice a day or more depending on our schedules and comfort level.

Deep breathing is highly beneficial.

It relaxes you. Shallow breath causes oxygen deficiency. This causes the muscles to constrict. Deep breathing restores the oxygen balance. Whenever you feel a negative emotion like anger, anxiety, tense etc. Start breathing 
deeply. You will feel the difference. 

Carbon Dioxide is a waste product generate by body processes. We need to expel it from the body to keep the body healthy. It comes out of our body with our breath when we exhale. Shallow breathing retards removal process of Carbon Dioxide.

Deep breathing will compel you to take a straight back posture.

The lymph fluid is responsible for removing the waste discharge from cells and dead cells from the body. The movement of lymph fluid is controlled by breathing. Shallow breathing inhibits this removal process.

It increase cardiovascular capacity and burns fat.

It improves blood flow and energises the body and gives restful sleep.


See you soon


Prabir