Just Breathe
We breathe in and out approximately 22,000 times a day. That breath supplies our bodies with oxygen. Breathing, more often than not, happens subconsciously. However, we can also be intentional with our breathing. Breathing through your nose verse breathing through the mouth is a better practice. When we breathe through our nose it activates our parasympathetic nervous system. This is a network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress or danger. It also helps run life-sustaining processes, like digestion, during times when you feel safe and relaxed. On the other hand, mouth breathing lowers tissue oxygenation, increases our heart rate, results in a higher respiration rate and “vertical” respiration which is associated with health problems.
Poor breathing is associated with poor posture, poor concentration, ADHD, even poor athletic performance. Scientific studies have found a correlation between the number of breaths per minute and an individuals lifespan.
Not only is our breathing important for our physical health, but it also impacts our spiritual health as well. Breathwork can allow you to move beyond your mind and body and help you connect to your inner self. Many people who practice breathwork experience spiritual awakenings and the ultimate state of mediation and relaxation. Dr. Andrew Weil, the founder and Director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, provides the following breathing technique:
1) Sit up straight.
2) Place the tip of your tongue up against the back of your front teeth. Keep it there through the entire breathing process.
3) Breathe in silently through your nose to the count of four.
4) Hold your breath to the count of seven.
5) Exhale through your mouth to the count of eight, making an audible "whoosh" sound.
6) That completes one full breath. Repeat the cycle another three times, for a total of four breaths.
Breath is life. It defines us. It announces our entry into this world and marks our exit from the same. Yet few people learn how to breathe in a way that allows the body to function the way it should. BREATHE. Every breath you take is a reset and you can do it anywhere, anytime, whether you are seated, standing, or lying down. BREATHE. It will alter your blood chemistry, provide profound health benefits and deep relaxation, and nourish all your organs, muscles, and your brain. JUST BREATHE.