Learn to breathe properly
This ‘Pillar’ is not simply the inhaling and exhaling we would traditionally think of.
See our ‘Tips and Tricks’ to Breathing and relaxation.
Breath is tightly tied to acidity levels, heart rate, excitability, nervous tension, muscular tension, ability to sleep, inflexibility and stress. Breathing is sub-conscious right? Breathing occurs naturally, rhythmically and dynamically, constantly changing to fit our current physical state. All of this is designed simply to keep us alive. However, our breathing rates, depth of breath, ability to catch our breath and ‘breathing intent’ are things we have conscious powers over. This gives us a much larger scope of control over so much that affects our health.
The word ‘CARDIOVASCULAR’ or Cardio means of the lungs and vascular system. The heart is a muscle with the ability to become stronger and more ‘fit’ as is the diaphragm which controls our ability to breathe. Therefore through physical training we have the ability to better control our breathing processes and everything attached to them.
Monks use breathing ceremonies to calm the mind and thus more easily achieve enlightenment. Meditation has long been proven to help the emotional state of mind, clear the mind of clutter, to help focus and allow better productivity. Almost all forms of martial arts, yoga, personal training, pilates and exercise use breathing as a means to boost performance, bypass pain and connect with ourselves. Even western medicine teaches breathing techniques during the labour phase of pregnancy!
Even sleeping is affected by breath patterns, and our ability to fall asleep, shut off the chatter in our heads and get a full nights rest is in our hands. Getting into all the phases of sleep is incredibly important for immune functions, muscular regeneration, clarity of thought and nervous control.
Breathing is an action you have the ability to control, benefit from and excel with. Its rhythmic patterning allows for major physcial and mental benefits through regular practice and habitual control.
Who knew that the transfer Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide could play such a vital role in not only living but increasing our quality of life and longevity!?
