Breathing Right
Are you breathing? Well, your answer would be yes. But are you aware of the fact that you are breathing every three seconds? Probably no, because this task happens without any self-effort. It is the core of our existence, the most essential and consistent activity that we do but we are rarely mindful of it. But what if we become more conscious of it? Or what if we start putting our effort into it?
The researchers say, breathing helps to release 70% of toxins in your body and can cure most diseases. But it is only possible if you do it right.
Breathing is one of the important sources of energy along with food, sleep and a mediative mind. It is one of the seven layers of your existence.
Your rhythm of breath can speak a great deal about the quality of your life and the emotions you experience every day.
Right breathing is mindful breathing practices, also known as pranayama. Pranayama helps you in changing your prana/energy level. The days when you feel suicidal, depressed, tired, not wanting to talk to anyone are the days when you are lacking the life force in you. In simple terms, you are low on the prana level. Few deep breaths can bring you back. To rise, raise your prana.
On most occasions, the body uses breathing as an automatic pain releasing mechanism. For example, you sigh when you are mentally tired. Frustration makes us scream or sob uncontrollably which tend to make our breaths longer and thus make us feel better as a result.
Purpose of Inhalation and Exhalation
When we breathe in, we inhale oxygen; when we breathe out we release carbon dioxide. The inflow of oxygen revitalizes our body and provides us with energy to work. The outflow of carbon dioxide removes waste from our body and helps the body be clean and active. That’s why it is said to inhale positivity and exhale negative emotions. One of the purposes of this inhale and exhale activity is to maintain homeostasis. The supply of oxygen in the bloodstream is a critical aspect of homeostasis — with insufficient oxygen, cells cannot make energy.
To maintain the right level of homeostasis, we must practice breathing techniques on regular basis.
Here is a list of few breathing practices that you can adopt.
Alternate Nostril Breathing
One of the widely practised techniques. Helps in reducing anxiety and stress, balancing hormones and increasing the life force.
Kapalabhati Pranayama
Helps in better oxygen flow, digestion, fat loss, hormonal issues in women, lungs problem and insomnia.
Ujjayi Breath
Also known as oceanic breath, it is taken from the throat. This breathing tends to increase oxygen intake in the body. It provides one with clarity of thoughts, good concentration, uplifts energy level and helps in having deep sleep.
Straw Breathing
Breath in from the nose and breath out from the real/imaginary straw in your mouth. Practice straw breath to get rid of anxiety and aggression.
Sudarshan Kriya
This breathing practice is exclusively taught in The Art of Living level-1 Program. Speaking from personal experience, this particular technique’s impact is huge. The research has shown that it takes care of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD), reverses clinical and non-clinical depression, decreases Cortisol (major stress hormone) level, enhances immunity, deep sleep and increases antioxidant production.
