Breathe!

I would like you to simply stop breathing for the next few secs. Ready? Let’s go now. Keep going. Now, let’s get it out. How did you feel? Could you have done much longer?

Well, the truth is if we hold our breath for another 2 and a half mins. to 3 mins. Most of us, unfortunately, would be dead! Did you know that the human body can go up to 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water, and only 3 mins without air!

When we try to improve our health, as most people do, we go first with that thing we can go the longest without! The food! Please, don’t get me wrong, changing your diet is a good thing, hydrating enough is good too, in fact, I have been advising people for years on how to improve them. But what I have learned, a few years ago, is that breathing the correct way along with the breathing exercises I teach in my yoga sessions give my clients and myself excellent results! Therefore, the correct way of breathing is something I recommend starting first with when improving people’s lives.

The benefits of correct breathing are huge: detoxify your body, deliver more nutrition to your cells, boost your digestion, improve your sleep and immunity, improve your heart health, mental clarity, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and much more.

Do you know what Pranayama means? Prana means ‘life force’ or ‘energy source’ and Yama means ‘control’. Pranayama means breath control and that word comes from Sanskrit. It is well-known as one of the most effective stressbusters in the Universe. By taking a few long deep breaths, focussing attention on the inhalation and the exhalation, the breath settles down naturally and becomes regular, and we begin to feel calmer and more centered. Did you know that around 70% of your body’s elimination occurs through the lungs?

Now, let’s do a bit of deep breathing. Close your eyes and breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your nose or mouth. When you inhale, your belly expands. When you exhale, your belly flattens. Please focus your mind on the belly movement, breathing in the energy, breathing out the toxins. Focus on the breathing rhythm for about 2-3 minutes.

Then open your eyes and notice how you feel. Is your mind quieter, is your breath more smooth? Do you feel peace and calm within yourself? Do you feel refreshed, rejuvenated?

Can you imagine if you did this every day? Smokers take a cigarette break; you can take a breathing break. Make this your new daily habit and it will enhance your well-being both mentally & physically! 😉

If you would like to practice more breathwork come and join my online Yoga class, it will be the best gift you could give to your body. Look forward to hearing from you soon! 😊

Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lb5L-VEm34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bczm0RsIZUM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QTJOAI0UoU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFcQpNr_KA4

https://www.anahana.com/en/breathing-exercise/box-breathing

https://www.ekhartyoga.com/articles/practice/defining-pranayama-breath-and-prana

A book: The Spirit of Meditation by Erica Brealey