Breathe Correctly

One of the many things I learned from Yoga was the importance of the breath and how to breathe correctly. Yoga method, consistently, reminds us that air and oxygen are the  most important nutrition for the body. But, who cares?

We are all more concerned with the food we eat than the air we breathe. However, all functions of the body depend on oxygen to perform their tasks. Even digestion!

So, digestion is a complex biochemical function that relies on the level of oxygenation of the body to be accomplished. Poor breathing translates into impaired digestion and poor assimilation. Over time, poor assimilation leads to diseases.

It is also important to remember we can survive without food or water for some days. But, we cannot survive without air for more than a few minutes! But, who cares?

Yeah, we should care!

Breathe Correctly – Shallowly or Deeply?

Breathing really is the most important function of the body. All the other bodily functions depend on breathing. Besides oxygenation, the breathing function also is one of the main pumps of the Lymphatic System. So it’s vital to relearn how to breathe correctly.

Basically, poor breathing is a shallow breathing! Newborns, on the contrary, breathe deeply or diaphragmatically. If you could see newborns sleeping you would see that they move only their bellies.

This is our natural breathing! The belly motion indicates the action of the diaphragm, which is the major muscle in charge of the breathing. So, newborns breathe correctly!

However, over the years, for several reasons (find them in the “Lymphatic Yoga and the Water of Life” – Book I – by Edely Wallace) we all distorted the correct breathing. Over time, breathing became a shallow and superficial affair. An unconscious act that is slowly killing us.

To breathe correctly is to breathe deeply. Deep breathing moves the diaphragm up and down. The up and down motion of the diaphragm activates the Lymphatic System in the abdominal area, which is rich in lymph nodes and vessels. The motion of the diaphragm helps lymph flow into the largest lymph trunk – the thoracic duct – which starts in the abdominal area.

Correct breathing creates a suction effect for the lymphatic fluid in the abdominal area and legs. Correct breathing helps the return of the lymph fluid to its destination – the heart. Correct breathing prevents or reduces lymph stagnation. Correct breathing helps lymph transport and improves cell nourishment, tissue repair and immune response.

Correct breathing was my saving grace when recovering from a nasty road accident, several years ago. It works!

Stay tuned for Part II, where you will learn how to breathe correctly.

Stay healthy and happy !!!