The Breath of Life

If I could give anyone just one piece of advice – just one single, solitary thing to do that gives the best chance of a happy, fulfilled, healthy life, it would be as simple as this:

Learn to breathe abdominally.

Breathing underpins our entire lives.  It’s the first thing we gasp to do when we’re born and we continue the rhythm until we breathe our dying breath.  The quality of our breathing can be a vivid reflection of our lives:  You’ll probably notice a difference between people with shallow, rushed breathing and people who take deep, slow, calm breaths.

Our bodies need a lot of oxygen to function properly and to help expel impurities.  Clearly, the better this process works, the better we will function physically and mentally.  When we become stressed and emotional, breathing is one of the functions first effected.  We naturally breathe abdominally; just watch any child or animal and see how their bellies rise and fall.  Over time, however, we learn to shut down this process and breathe only with our chest – shallower and faster.

Abdominal breathing is much more efficient and beneficial.  It pulls the diaphragm all the way down, expanding the lungs in all directions, thus taking in more oxygen.  Breathing becomes slower and more relaxed.  Due to fewer cycles per minute, we save energy as muscles do less work, and pure oxygen has more time to permeate to all cells in the body.

Benefits of Abdominal Breathing

• Improved Oxygen  Intake & Supply to Cells and Organs
• Improved Removal of Impurities
• Stress Reduction
• More Energy & Stamina
• Decreased Heart Rate & Lower Blood Pressure
• Better Focus & Concentration
• Improved Posture
• Peace of Mind & Clarity

Abdominal breathing takes some initial effort to learn.  In fact it is a ‘re-learning’ as it is just a natural instinct which has been blocked and needs to be uncovered.  So, with a small amount of conscious effort and practice, you will find yourself with improved health, energy and calmness.

How to do Abdominal Breathing

Breathe slowly, in and out through the nose.  This is our natural channel for breathing – again, observe a baby or animal, they do not use their mouths.  Don’t force it – there are no prizes for breathing!  Go as deeply and as slowly as feels comfortable.  Practice will naturally improve the depth and pace until it is the most natural thing in the world for you.  It is best to practice initially on your back, with your hands on your belly to feel the abdomen expanding.  Then move on to sitting, standing and walking.  If you find it hard to concentrate, it can help to count the breaths in cycles of four.  If you drift off, just start again at one.

1. Breathe deeply and imagine inflating a balloon just below the navel (belly button) .  Your belly, lower chest and back will all expand.
2. Pause for a moment when the balloon feels comfortably full.
3. Slowly exhale, imagining the balloon deflating until it is empty.

Everyone I know who does this felt immediate improvements, and can’t imagine how they got by without it.  It’s the simplest way in the world to improve all aspects of life.  Enjoy.

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