What are Chakras?
Our breath symbolizes the most fundamental rhythm of life. Breathing is the first thing we do when we are born and the last thing we do when we die. We can stay alive for long periods without eating, drinking, or sleeping, but if we cannot breathe, within minutes, we cannot live.
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Because breathing is automatic, we don’t pay much attention to our breath. On average, we breathe 20,000 times a day.
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On a physical/physiological basis, when you inhale air enters your lungs, and oxygen from that air moves to your blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste gas, moves from your blood to the lungs and is exhaled (breathed out). This process, called gas exchange, is essential to life.
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On a spiritual level, when we breathe, Prana (translated from Sanskrit as “life force energy”), the “breath of life” or “spirit-energy,” enters our body.
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Our breath also brings us to the present moment. We cannot take a breath in the past or take a breath in the future. Your breath is NOW.
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When you are feeling out of sorts, pause and take a DEEP BREATH.
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WAYS OUR BREATHING HELPS US:
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Anti-Anxiety/ Decreases stress and increases calm – through conscious breathing, we have the power of regulating your nervous system which reduces heart rate and relaxes the muscles and mind.
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Relieves pain – by focusing on our breath, we take focus away from the discomfort.
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Stimulates the lymphatic system (detoxifies the body).
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Improves energy – breathwork improves the oxygen capacity in the blood which improves energy level and stamina.
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Immune booster – Diaphragmatic breathing expands the lungs, increasing efficiency in oxygen absorption, lowering cortisol levels, and blood pressure, and improving the autonomic nervous system, thereby enhancing the immune response.
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Improves digestion – breathing properly increases blood flow, helps the digestive organs work more efficiently, speeds up metabolism, and helps stabilize blood sugar levels.
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Mindful Breathing Exercise:
Begin by breathing normally and becoming a focused observer of your breath. It's helpful to hone in on a physical cue, like the rise and fall of your belly or the sensation of air in your nostrils (cool air coming in, warmer air going out). When your mind naturally wanders (and it will—that's inevitable), make a note of it, then simply return to the occurrence of each inhale and exhale.
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Breathing in this way, even for a minute or two, helps eliminate distraction, release negative thoughts, improve self-awareness, and quiet a racing mind. The more you do it, the easier it will get—and the more you'll start to notice the benefits in your daily life.