Life begins and ends with one single breath and it is obvious that we need to introduce good breathing techniques into our daily routine.
Our bodies need a lot of oxygen to function properly and to be helped to eliminate toxic products, such as carbon monoxide.
Every cell in our body really needs a lot of oxygen. Nowadays, many people are aware of what they drink or eat, but few think about conscious breathing!
Most People Use Pulmonary Respiration
Breathing can be very easily affected, restricted, or blocked. In fact, our breathing way is firstly affected by stress or emotions. According to a recent study in Sweden, 83% of the adult population uses pulmonary respiration, for example, they use only the upper chest.
This is the least efficient method for us to breathe because, it uses the largest muscle strength compared with abdominal breathing, which is deeper and more relaxing.
People who use pulmonary breathing need more breathing cycles per minute and as a result, they get less oxygen and get rid of much less harmful materials.
Here are some benefits of diaphragmatic breathing can have:
- reduces anger responses;
- slows significantly the rate of breathing;
- decreases oxygen demand;
- lowers the chances of wearing out the muscles;
- strengthens the diaphragm:
- improves the body’s capacity to tolerate intense physical exercise;
- improves digestion:
- helps to cope with the symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder);
- helps to lower blood pressure;
- stimulates lymphatic system;
- lowers heart rate;
- improves sleep quality;
- lowers the harmful effects of the stress hormone in the physical body.
What Is Conscious Breathing?
It is breathing that doesn’t just stop at the sternum or lungs, but naturally, descends to the abdomen. That is where life is born. This is how all children breathe when they come into the world.
After a while, for reasons on which I will not talk now, breathing slowly shrinks, becoming superficial and often stops at the chest level.
Conscious breathing is not just another breathing technique. In fact, it is not a technique. It’s natural breathing. It is a tool that allows universal energy to work for you naturally.
It is the signal that you give your being that you choose to live each moment with joy and not just to survive each day. It is the breath full of love and compassion for you and for everything that exists.
Its role is to restore balance to the whole being – body, mind, and soul/spirit. Breathing represents a bridge between body and soul, between human and divine, between visible and invisible.
When the breath is not “flowing” in a natural and balanced way, the connection between the divine and the human is interrupted. This causes energy blockages, which ultimately turn into diseases of the body, mind, and spirit.
Breathing consciously we allow the release of these jams naturally, without pressure or external limitations. This way you appeal to those potentials that allow you to manifest and express yourself freely.
Conscious breathing is the course through which you allow integration of your aspects and sub-identities of the Self-created consciously or unconsciously, along with your existence as a being that controls life and daily conduct.
I Propose Now A Little Breathing Exercise:
- Choose a place where you can’t be disturbed by other people. This is a moment in time just for you.
- Lie on your back preferably on an area not very hard, with legs outstretched and slightly apart. Relax the whole body.
- Focus on your breathing and place your hands on the abdomen, near the belly button. Inhale through your nose and then exhale slightly easier. Notice if your breathing stops at the sternum level or if the abdominal area moves. Agitated people have short and shallow breathing that doesn’t descend below the chest.
- Inhale deeply and profoundly till you reach the abdominal area. Notice the rise and fall of the abdominal area with each breath.
- Don’t force your breathing; allow it to flow naturally.
- Relax your mind, open your heart and … choose to feel. Choose to hear. Choose to see. Choose to be aware!
- Practice this type of breathing for 10-15 minutes once or twice a day. You can try this breathing technique while you walk, drive a car or stand up. After a period of practice, you can extend your breathing to a longer period of time.
Image credit – Shutterstock
READ THIS NEXT: Hong-Sau Technique
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
As a founder and chief author at InsightState.com, Bulgarea Candin helps readers on their spiritual journeys. His writings are designed to inspire creativity and personal growth, guiding readers on their journey to a more fulfilled and enlightened life.