The breath is a unique vital function of the body.
It is what I call "semi-voluntary".
It happens as naturally as a beating heart while at the same time it is under our direct voluntary control.
The nervous system regulates the breath according to the demands of the body, increasing it in times of high oxygen use such as exercise or fright and slowing it in times of repair and rejuvenation such as sleep and sedentary moments.
On the other hand, we can temporarily stop the breath or intentionally influence the rate and depth of the breath as we desire.
It's amazing to me that with oxygen being a basic element of our bodies and an essential component of our beings, so many of us take it for granted.
We tend to essentially ignore our breath.
We don't exercise our diaphragm muscles for improved efficiency, or "practice" our breathing, or even cultivate awareness of the breath.
So, what happens then? With the stress of our lives on our chests, our breathing becomes irregular and shallow, even stopping all-together on a regular basis for many.
Oxygen levels decrease leading to inefficient muscles and reduced organ function, which in turn causes imbalance in the blood, tissue repair dysfunction and the death of cells, which basically equates to the slow death of our selves one cell at a time.
I for one don't want to inflict this slow suffering on myself.
I want to inhale life fully while I am able.
There is a lot to do and see on this earth and I want to enjoy my time here.
Breathing is not something to take for granted.
Use it for good health, mental clarity and stress reduction.
It doesn't necessarily function optimally on its own.
It takes practice.
It can be difficult to know how to get started with breathing exercises.
My recommendation is to start with awareness.
Begin by observing your breath today.
Notice if it is shallow or deep, rapid or slow.
Notice if you're holding tension in the chest, shoulders and rib cage that may be inhibiting the expansion of the lungs.
Notice how the thoughts are affecting the breath.
If your breath is shallow and your neck tense, observe what thoughts are running through your mind.
Let those thoughts go and continue to breathe more fully.
You may also choose a trigger that will remind you to practice breathing more regularly.
For example, you could decide that your trigger is a red light.
Make an agreement with yourself that every time you come to a red light in traffic, you'll pause to focus on the breath.
Relax the tension, expand the rib cage, and take a few deep breaths.
Perhaps when the light turns green, you forget the breath and go back to old habits, but that's o.
k.
The more practice you get under your belt, the more breathing deeply and fully becomes the new habit.
Like any sort of discipline, you have to train with patience and consistency to produce the benefits.
Over and over again, bring your attention to the breath like this and before you know it, your breath becomes more deep and full, naturally and regularly.
It is what I call "semi-voluntary".
It happens as naturally as a beating heart while at the same time it is under our direct voluntary control.
The nervous system regulates the breath according to the demands of the body, increasing it in times of high oxygen use such as exercise or fright and slowing it in times of repair and rejuvenation such as sleep and sedentary moments.
On the other hand, we can temporarily stop the breath or intentionally influence the rate and depth of the breath as we desire.
It's amazing to me that with oxygen being a basic element of our bodies and an essential component of our beings, so many of us take it for granted.
We tend to essentially ignore our breath.
We don't exercise our diaphragm muscles for improved efficiency, or "practice" our breathing, or even cultivate awareness of the breath.
So, what happens then? With the stress of our lives on our chests, our breathing becomes irregular and shallow, even stopping all-together on a regular basis for many.
Oxygen levels decrease leading to inefficient muscles and reduced organ function, which in turn causes imbalance in the blood, tissue repair dysfunction and the death of cells, which basically equates to the slow death of our selves one cell at a time.
I for one don't want to inflict this slow suffering on myself.
I want to inhale life fully while I am able.
There is a lot to do and see on this earth and I want to enjoy my time here.
Breathing is not something to take for granted.
Use it for good health, mental clarity and stress reduction.
It doesn't necessarily function optimally on its own.
It takes practice.
It can be difficult to know how to get started with breathing exercises.
My recommendation is to start with awareness.
Begin by observing your breath today.
Notice if it is shallow or deep, rapid or slow.
Notice if you're holding tension in the chest, shoulders and rib cage that may be inhibiting the expansion of the lungs.
Notice how the thoughts are affecting the breath.
If your breath is shallow and your neck tense, observe what thoughts are running through your mind.
Let those thoughts go and continue to breathe more fully.
You may also choose a trigger that will remind you to practice breathing more regularly.
For example, you could decide that your trigger is a red light.
Make an agreement with yourself that every time you come to a red light in traffic, you'll pause to focus on the breath.
Relax the tension, expand the rib cage, and take a few deep breaths.
Perhaps when the light turns green, you forget the breath and go back to old habits, but that's o.
k.
The more practice you get under your belt, the more breathing deeply and fully becomes the new habit.
Like any sort of discipline, you have to train with patience and consistency to produce the benefits.
Over and over again, bring your attention to the breath like this and before you know it, your breath becomes more deep and full, naturally and regularly.