Stop and take a deep breath.
Now take another.
And another.
Pay attention: You can feel the difference in your body immediately.
FACT:
We need oxygen to live. Through breath we take in oxygen. Oxygen is distributed via blood to the trillions of cells in our bodies. Oxygenation of cells is absolutely necessary to maintain health.
So why then do we take shallow, half, breaths? Why don’t we take long, deep, breaths?
My breath typically starts and ends in my chest even though it’s supposed to reach my belly, diaphragmatic breath.
But I’m paying attention now and discovering how lymphasizing (improving lymphatic flow) helps rid our body of toxins, bad cells, waste, bacteria and viruses.
Belly breathing will aid our digestive system, our immune system and our nervous system.
It will improve circulation and lessen anxiety.
Meditation and yoga are two practices that can help inspire deep breath.
When we take slow deep breaths, we increase the flow of blood in our bodies and energize ourselves. So stop again and take a long deep breath.
Take another.
Why wouldn’t we?
I don’t know about the other readers but I was taking deep breaths through this whole piece. 😮
Me too! From word 1!
Thanks Mark! It worked for me too. Awareness-Deep breaths while I wrote it!
Breathing as I’m reading. And repeat…It works!
In yoga, as the poses get difficult, we are taught to acknowledge the discomfort and let it in without fear. This is done by breathing in deeply, mentally sending your breath to any areas in your body that need it, and then breathing out thoroughly, letting the discomfort out with the breath. It makes everything bearable, ok. It’s not about “getting through it,” but being in it, facing it, and knowing that you’re getting stronger as you do.
This is another one of your comments that had me thinking all week about the idea ofbreathing through pain. I breathed through all my baby deliveries so I know the importance
of breath but I never considered its application to everyday life. If you can breath
through discomfort and pain and fear in a yoga class, why not also in life?
Thanks for this comment!