Breathing, and it’s Importance in our Lives
I felt it would be remiss of me not to include a section on breathing as part of this website, as breathing is fundamental to our lives, in more ways than one. I have done extensive research on the subject (but do not claim to be an expert in this area). After much reading, and searching, I have tried to include a basic summary on this page, as well as include useful links that I feel are very beneficial, in terms of the quality of the product, as well as the general information. I have included a link below to explain a little about the clinical trials for some testing.
Breathing is an important part of the relaxation process, and can very easily be applied on a daily basis, with fantastic results. Often, the simplest practices can make all the difference to our stress reduction, and with practice, the process can be done more and more easily. You may prefer to breath with an audio instruction tape or CD, or prefer a silent environment- whichever is most comfortable for you.
Breathing also affects our muscle relaxation- more information below: Background and Instruction Most of us breath very shallowly, and rapidly, so that we are able to receive enough air for our daily living, but this is not the correct way to breath for relaxation. When breathing fully, using our diaphragms, we are able to inhale much more air, which then passes through our blood streams, and to our brain. Coupled with the following exercises, the effect is enhanced many times over. Breath in fully, through the nose, and then hold for five seconds. Release slowly, through the mouth, and then, inhale again, through the nose, and hold for five seconds. Slowly, release through the mouth. Some people prefer to close their eyes as well. Do this for five to ten breaths, and then ‘feel’ your body relaxing more. This exercise alone, has great capacity to relieve stress.
I have included a banner below to a site that explains breathing exercises and products in more detail.
I will also explain more about the concepts in my own words below:
For many people, when we are relaxed, we are breathing ‘normally’. I say ‘normally’ in quotes, as many people, even at their relaxed rest, breath very shallowly, and not fully, thus not receiving the full benefit of the breath that they could be. Naturally, then, when we are stressed, anxious, worried, or hurrying, and so on, this effect is made even worse, and can cause us more problems, as we will be receiving less oxygen and so on. There are exercises that can be applied to help with this, and like most things, breathing fully is a skill that can be practiced, mastered, and then something that becomes Automatic. Another way to help our bodies to absorb the maximum amount of oxygen is to reduce the intake of stimulants, like caffeine. I realise that many people enjoy their coffee, but one way to help this is to perhaps switch from caffeinated coffee to decaffeinated. Again, remember this is about doing small things, to make positive changes to benefit in the long term. You may be surprised at the difference you will feel after a month or so. It is possible in the short term, that if you are a heavy coffee drinker, that you will feel ‘withdrawal’ symptoms after cutting down on full strength coffee, and cutting over to decaffeinated. However, the results will show as positive after a month or so. This is just one other example on ways to improve your oxygen intake. Another way to reduce our stress is to learn to slow our breathing down- on a regular basis. This way, once achieved, we are able to handle more stress at the same time too! (and better still, deal better with it, and not react as much) The link below points to a website which has some fantastic materials and programmes to help you train, and exercise yourself for improved breathing. I really do recommend the site- and the products come with excellent support as well. The link is below, as well as the banner. As always, be the best you can be!
Optimal Breathing- Breathing for Life
Relaxation Breathing Or Pranayama
New Age philosophy and practices are all too often stereotyped. Many people think it is all about swanning around a flat in lots of scarves, listening to music with flutes and harps, and probably smoking lots of marijuana. If you do these things, you are not necessarily being a bad or misguided person, and New Age philosophy does have a strong association with such practices. However, the point is that there is more to New Age enlightenment than the things mentioned above. One of the reasons New Age believers pursue meditation or take courses in spirituality is to achieve a higher spiritual and mental state. A high, in short. No, this is not the debased concept of high that people get off party drugs, shopping, etc. Rather, it is the high of operating at a level that agrees with your spiritual and physical nature, and comes from connecting with nature and the universe as a whole. Meditation and improved breathing play a huge part in attaining this "true" high. Some people talk discuss this state or process as one of being "transported" or "taken away." However, we can also understand it as a return. We are trying to recapture our connection with the outside world, in a contemporary context where mass media and other distractions constitute most people's truth, but they actually cut us off from reality. Meditation is not supposed to be an escape, but a way back to what is really important. This idea of meditation as a path to a deeper truth or reality is well developed in the religions that have attained the most sophisticated understanding of meditative techniques: Buddhism and Hinduism. In these religions, meditation and breathing are intimately connected. One uses breathing exercises to clear and prepare the mind for meditation. On the other hand, one can meditate on the practice of one's breathing. Hold on a minute. Why would you meditate on something as natural and simple as breathing, anyway? Well, to many Buddhists and Hindus, as well as those who have a philosophy that draws a great deal from these religions (including New Age), air is not just a collection of air molecules. It is actually life-energy. Drawing breath not only keeps your body going, but also helps you tap into the energy binding the universe together. This is why you do not need to breathe in anything other than "normal" air in order to get a high. Once you understand what breathing really is, this simple act takes on its real significance as not only something that fuels your cells, but also opens your mind and helps free it from the limiting, self-centered attitudes so prevalent today. People may take "controlled substances" in order to stimulate certain parts of their brain by releasing or introducing certain chemicals into their system. However, there is a much more natural way to get a high. It is natural in two senses: it uses your body's natural functions, and it also connects you to the energy of nature and the universe. Try taking up breathing techniques like yoga breathing and experience this connection for yourself. Keith Tennent is a medical researcher and a fitness enthusiast. He has overcome personal health difficulties and now teaches others to improve their health. His technique is simple and takes literally a few seconds each day. Best of all, anybody can do it. Whether your interest is in improving your mental health in things like concentration and memory, or your physical health like overcoming arthritis or asthma. He has written many other articles which are available free at http://www.easybreathe.co.uk/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Tennent
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