Quality over quantity rings true even with your own breath. Tense muscles that won’t release? Overwhelmed with stress and anxiety? Want to detox and not be imprisoned by liquid meals?
Did you know you can lessen all of the above with your own breath?! Breathwork isn’t just for those who meditate and do yoga. The power of breath is scientifically proven, so much so even the Navy SEALS use breathing exercises as part of their training. These techniques are tools they use to stay calm and focused because we all know they deal with the ultimate fight or flight scenarios.
The lungs are the biggest waste removal engine in the body. The account for the removal of 70% body waste in the form of carbon dioxide in the air we exhale. Crazy right?!
Deep Breath Benefits
- Deep breathing helps the flow of your lymphatic system. The main function of our lymphatic system is to cleanse toxins from our body and protect by carrying waste from our tissue to the bloodstream.
- Deep breathing brings oxygen to muscles. Your blood vessels begin to dilate, which stimulates circulation. Improved circulation is vital to decreased blood pressure, which enables you to feel calmer and more centered.
- Deep breathing signals your nervous system to calm down. Deep breathing slows down your heart rate, allowing your body to take in more oxygen and ultimately signals the brain to wind down. It also lowers down cortisol level while increasing endorphins.
Self Survey
Take a moment and survey your breath right now, without changing it observe the rise and fall of your breath. Perhaps it is low belly, diaphragmatic or even shallow. Do you even know what that shallow breathing means? Technically, it there is shorter inhaling and exhaling than normal breathing but with an equal cadence. While in shortness of breath, inhalation is usually much shorter than exhalation.
Breath Technique Takeaways
breathe deep the peace of the present.
-marie
Relaxing Deep Breath Release
- Sit comfortably with shoulders back and neutral spine.
- Eyes open or closed, palms faced up or down on your upper thighs (*option to place right palm over low belly and left over heart).
- Breathe in through your nose for 6 to 8 seconds (filling up your low belly first, then your upper chest).
- Hold your breath for 2-3 seconds.
- Release your breath slowly through pursed lips (as if blowing through a straw)
- Repeat 10-15 times.
Four Count Breathing (aka: Box Breathing)
Another quick go-to breathing technique that can be applied at any time. As referenced above this is the technique the Navy SEALS use. Apply it anytime anywhere, repeat at least 10-15 times.
