10 Reasons why we all need to learn how to breathe properly.

It is important to build a collection of simple breathing techniques and meditation exercises that can be used at home, at work or beyond to learn how to breathe correctly and, ultimately, support our health and vitality.

I am not saying that it is an easy and instantaneous process, but with time and practice, we can cultivate and develop a level of awareness, acceptance, patience and kindness with ourselves and our bodies via our breath.

At the start of each of my Pranayama & Breathwork Training (classes, courses or teacher training), I ask my students if, during the last 12 months, they have encountered any type of anxiety, stress or panic attack that disrupted their day-to-day life.

Every time, the replies are astonishing: two-thirds of the people in the group tend to have experienced, with various levels of intensity and for all sorts of reasons, moments of panic, worry or anxiety. I know that harnessing our breathing techniques effectively can make a huge difference in managing the difficult areas of our lives.

For example, we can change the stress patterns in our body and mind by doing some very easy, straightforward, gentle breathing exercises such as working on expanding the exhalation while breathing intentionally or by using the alternate nostril breathing technique.

What are the benefits of breathing properly?

Physical role of the breathing:

  1. Keeps us alive: Here are the two respirations occurring in our bodies which keep us alert and alive:
    • External respiration: Occurring at the level of the lungs, the air enters the body from the outside through the lungs and leaves it again at a rate of about 12 to 15 times per minute. This phenomenon is called external respiration or simply breathing.
    • Internal respiration: At the tissue and cellular level, this respiration feeds the cells in the tissues with oxygen. The oxygen is carried to the cells by the blood. It arrives at the capillaries, which exchange it into carbon dioxide. The deoxygenated blood is then transported through the veins until it reaches the heart, which is once again pumped to the lungs to receive new oxygen. For all this to happen correctly, we need to have a healthy respiratory machine and keep the machine’s parts in good condition.
  2. Keeps our muscles relaxed: Each breath has a distinctive role. One of the roles of our exhalation is to relax and calm. To some degree, we can reduce tension, tightness, discomfort and pain by learning how to use our exhalations efficiently.
  3. Your blood pressure lowers and slows down your heart rate. As your muscles release tension, your blood vessels dilate, and your blood pressure can return to average.
  4. Detoxification improves. Good breathing habits help the lymphatic system function properly, which encourages the release of harmful toxins. This cleanses the body and allows it to direct its energy to more productive functions.
  5. Helps to keep all our systems healthy: Respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive, urinary, lymphatic. All these depend on our breath!

Psychological of the breathing:

  1. Endorphins are released which help with pain relief. Deep breathing triggers the release of endorphins, which improves feelings of well-being and provides pain relief.
  2. Balances our nervous systems: We can directly influence the autonomic nervous system with its three branches: sympathetic nervous system (conscious bodily functions), parasympathetic nervous system (unconscious bodily functions) and enteric nervous system (called the second brain: gastrointestinal tract functions).
  3. Reduces anxiety, stress and panic. Some situations may cause heart palpitations, lightheadedness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and, at times, they may cause you to pass out. Consequently, the mind responds to the attack by causing further symptoms of anxiety and panic. We can control the effects with simple breathing techniques which rebalance your focus on yourself and away from the source of stress and, through the exercises, regulate your heart, your breathing and your mind.
  4. Helps with sleep disorders and insomnia. Breathing exercises can help you to sleep. Calm, deep breathing helps to override the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response) and switch on the parasympathetic system (ability to relax) which can then take control of our body and mind. The result is a slower heart rate, quieter breathing and a greater sense of calm.
  5. Develop and help to learn meditation. Develop body awareness, focus and concentration. With guided breathing meditations, focusing on the breath forces your mind to concentrate on one point only and, therefore, starts the process of deep concentration leading to meditation.

Happy breathing!

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