Many people underestimate the importance of correct breathing. In the normal to-and-fro of daily activities people typically breathe shallow and at an increased pace. This has both short and long term negative effects. Shallow breathing can contribute to anxiety and related palpitations of the heart. Also, deep breathing opens up the lower branches of the bronchial tree. With shallow breathers, those areas are prone to being blocked of with respiratory infections, which can then lead to pneumonia, bronchitis and an early death. This is especially the case for smokers, who already have an increased rate of sputum production. (Sputum is a major cause of blocked bronchioles).
As you progress through each cycle, your heart rate will slow down and your mind will begin to drift off with the vibration of the breaths (similar to the use of “Ohhhmmmmm” in many practices). You’ve disconnected from the everyday; stepped out from behind the veil of practical reality into a personal intellectual reality.
At this point, only you know how to figure out personal puzzles and infractions of the ego. Getting here is half the battle.
It’s very easy to get caught up in the grind; to become so intertwined in the worlds of others that you lose touch with yourself. These breathing techniques can be useful in so many ways… anger control, stress relief, or just to give yourself a minute to sort things out and get a fresh start. Once your heart rate is relaxed anxiety will not be a problem, those little neurotic ticks that affect us when we’re under serious pressure will be marginalized. If you’re impatient (like me), this will help you when dealing with some of the duller light bulbs in the lamp store =)
Oh, and don’t forget… proper breathing can be an important tool in tantric pursuits. If you and your lover wish to take your sexual relationship to a deeper level, synchronous breathing is a KEY factor. It's a foundation for Kama Sutra and other forms of tantric yoga, and you need it to turn the penis and vagina into the lingam and yoni.
Additional resources:
Pranayama – Breathing techniques of the yogis
Swara Yoga – the science of nasal breathing
Help people keep breathing! Learn the new CPR guidelines (PDF format)
6 comments:
Thanks for the relaxation lesson. I am definitely gonna give it a try. I need to get rid of the stress and anxiety in my life or at least learn how to deal with it better. Are you into yoga?
I've never had both nostrils working at the same time; I don't even know what that feels like unless I eat something spicey!!
Cougar - Yep, I used to do some yoga. I went on to kick-boxing, but I kept some stuff like breathing, reflexology, tantra, etc.
You may also want to try using the "ohhmmm" sound to really get yourself drifting off =)
Jaded - You may want to check out Swara yoga, it is the science of breathing through the nostrils. there are some pretty effective techniques for clearing up that congestion. I have allergies myself, so I'm totally over there in the same boat. *waves*.
I always wanted to try kickboxing and I do want to kick some asses right now so the timing may be perfect...;).
Is that a picture of your cat? Cool picture!
You got it bro! Breathing right makes a whole lotta difference to both the physical and mental makeup of the individual. Most folk use only a part of their lungs when breathing and this, as you are obviously aware of, could lead to all sorts of complications - particularly for smokers.
And for relief of stress - the relief is apparent almost immediately, isn't it?
Good post, as usual.
Cheers!
Cougar - I wish! I love cats, but I'm very allergic and it would make my life a living hell to have one.
So, someone over in ATL needs an as whooping... I'd better book my trip. =)
Java - Thanks man! Over there in Sri Lanka there's a much better understanding of this, since it's more closely tied to the culture.
In the US, people are so distracted that most cannot even fathom paying attention to their breathing.
Incidentally, rates of death from COPD and other respiratory ailments has never been higher.
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