Without breathing we will die in matter of few minutes. Therefore it is vital for the seriously ill to be mindful about their breathing pattern, while making a serious effort to improving it. Simply put, breathing is the most significant everyday way of maintaining our health and curing illness. It is harder to change than ones diet, and therefore comes as the second objective and not the first.
In addition to oxygen delivery, proper breathing has various functions that are essential for well-being. Due to its effect on central nervous system, and the association shallow chest-breathing has with “fight of flight” reaction, it is the single most effective stress reduction technique. Because we are breathing all the time, it is a technique always available for us. Proper breathing also supports healthy digestive function and elimination of toxins from the body.
The key point about “proper breathing” is that the lower part of the lungs absorb oxygen multiple times better than the upper areas and also provide a variety of other benefits.
Three Types of Breathing
Chest breathing is closely associated with stress and provides inferior oxygen delivery, while completely failing in other benefits of breathing. Over 99% population (with the exception of infants) are habituated with this type of breathing.
Abdomen breathing provides optimal oxygen delivery, while providing a continuous massage to organs responsible for healthy digestive function and toxin elimination. Perhaps its most potent function is the way it calms down central nervous system. Less than 1% of population is habituated with this type of breathing.
Combination-breathing provides to some extent the benefits of abdominal breathing, but also has the negative side effects of chest breathing related to increased stress level.
Oxygen we breathe in has wonderful qualities that revitalize the bloodstream, vital organs and the brain. In addition to the benefits of the oxygen for our well being, a proper abdominal breathing has the functions of giving a continuous massage to the vital organs of our body. Simply put, there is no other healthcare solution as effective as proper breathing, and it is 100% within our own control.
While it is certain that anyone can gradually improve their breathing, and see some benefits as a result even with the very first practices, replacing ones chest breathing habitual pattern with an abdominal can take long time and require many practice.
OBJECTIVE #2
Improve abdominal breathing capability.