Alternative Methods of Exercise - BreathWork

Natural Healing with Breathwork
by Carol Lampman

“The word breath implies more than the physical act of drawing air in and out of the lungs. Breath is the junction point between mind, body and spirit. Every change of mental state is reflected first in the breath and then in the body.” -Deepak Chopra

Breathwork or Breath Therapy is best described as a highly personal, experiential process utilizing breathing techniques to clear out physical, mental and emotional blocks or stresses. Breathing in and of itself is grossly underestimated. It is a source of life-giving, healing and purifying energy. When we breathe in a relaxed fashion we move from a destructive metabolic state to a constructive one. The shift from operating in chronic stress mode to one of relaxed alertness can affect the synthesis of protein, fat and carbohydrates, increase the production of cells for immune system activation, promote bone repair and growth as well as enhance the cellular, hormonal and psychological process. 90% of the nutrition needed by the body comes from the oxygen we breathe. Only 10% comes from food.

In the east, breathing has been used for thousands of years as a path of personal and psycho-spiritual development. The ancient yogis probably were the first to discover the relationship between breathing and mental/emotional states. They noted that certain forms of breathing evoked corresponding mental states. Irregular, shallow breathing was seen to result in disturbances of mind, emotion and body. Full relaxed smooth breathing was seen as an accompaniment of a quiet mind. Specific breathing practices became incorporated into yoga as tools for inducing optimum states of being.

Breathing is the interaction between our inner selves and the surrounding atmosphere. When we breathe, we absorb in addition to physical substances, the surrounding reality into our inner system. It is essential therefore for both physical and psychological well being, that our breathing is optimal.

The origin of most human behavioral difficulties is in very early childhood experiences. During the process of growing up, as well as in daily life, we have not developed the skills to deal with our feelings in effective ways. Feelings that are not handled immediately are stored as muscle tension or in the unfinished business files in the mind …watch children and how the hold their breath when in the grip of pain or some other unpleasant emotion. The habit often stays with us unless someone gives us a better alternative. We learn to suppress our emotions early in life by physically tensing muscles and restricting the breath. Over time, this protective process becomes chronic and automatic and we lose the capacity to experience and express emotions. This repression can zap our vitality and rob us of the ability to experience the positive feelings of love, joy and pleasure. If we can learn to breathe in free uninhibited way, the stored feelings can be released from the body and mind.

Breathwork has been found to be a very precise key to the body’s natural healing resources. It consists of a variety of circular and conscious connected breathing techniques that can be described as a relaxed, connected and total way of breathing. This breathing pattern triggers a natural process of cleansing and purifying in both the body and the psyche. The combination of deep relaxation, openness of the body and mind and increased oxygen intake tends to dissolve everything that stands in the way of the body’s natural circulation. By increasing your ability to breathe fully, you will be rewarded with greater health; you will make major improvements, in your physical, mental and emotional functions. Additionally breathwork can dissolve unresolved emotions stored in the mind and body.

Breathwork is both art and science. The art is about surrendering to and trusting our own process. It is about letting go, releasing control and getting the mind out of the way. The science is about techniques that support the surrendering. It is about adjusting your breath, correcting your thoughts and changing your perception. One is the feeling part—one is the thinking part. Both are valuable. Breathwork is most effective when both are in balance.

There are many modalities that combine Breathwork with other techniques such as psychotherapy, bodywork, movement or yoga. The health benefits alone are worth the efforts to expand the capacity of the lungs and increase oxygen absorption, improving energy and physical well being.

Breathwork is a powerful tool for physical, emotional, mental and spiritual development and is considered a psychotherapy, in and of itself, in other parts of the world. It will continue to evolve and develop over time as its potential is discovered by the health care field and integrated into existing modalities.

The Power Of Learning To Breathe Properly
by Dr Edward Steiner

Did you know that breathing is the only essential bodily function performed unconsciously, that you can control consciously? Your body can go without food for months, water for weeks and yet your body can't go without oxygen for more than a few minutes. Think about it.

The power of breath has been known in India for thousands of years. Any type of quality yoga combines two powerful elements, those of breathing and stretching. The word "spirit" in the Hebrew language or "life-force" can be translated into the word "breath". You may recall in the bible it describes that god literally breathed the breath of life into Adam.

Our breath is quite literally our life force. Oxygen feeds every part of the body. Breathing deeply and slowly will relax you, while instantly sending powerful doses of oxygen to the brain and every single cell of the body.

One of the main reasons people find smoking relaxing is that they are taking slow deep breaths. It's powerful enough to calm the system even while inhaling poisons. What would happen if it was done without the cigarette? It's an interesting fact that the word "conspiracy" comes from a Latin word meaning two or more breathing in unison.

Carbon dioxide robs the body of oxygen. Carbon dioxide is poisonous to our body in high amounts and that’s exactly why we breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Breathing influences every organ in the body and balances the brain hemisphere. This is a profoundly important lesson: learn to breathe effectively.

Many people report that they'd like to be able to have the ability to relax. How much value would it be if you could relax at will? Being in a relaxed state has it's side effects, you tend to be able to concentrate more, and retain information more easily. Could this be of use to you? My guess is probably yes.

Breathing deeply and evenly through both nostrils helps to synchronize both sides of the brain. The right nostril tends to stimulate the left side of the brain and the left stimulates the right side of the brain. Research has proven that the brain swaps the dominate nostril we breathe through every 90 minutes.

In addition, breathing has all sorts of physiological effects on the body, some very noticeable and others not so noticeable. Some physicians believe that breath is the doorway between the conscious and the unconscious mind. It can help relax and feed specific parts of the body, give greater control over the nervous system and often plays a large role in miraculous cures. Breathing deeply puts us in what science calls a "kinesthetic" state; that is, a more feeling state. Some people believe god has created us with a fixed number of breaths. A definite advantage to breathe deeper.

Anytime you're tired, stop and take ten deep breaths. I’m going to show you the best way to breathe. The best way to breathe is in the pit (or bottom) of your stomach. Why, you may ask? Few people know that the lungs extend beyond the rib cage, in fact 2/3 of the lungs sit below the lowest rib. Filling the larger portion of the lungs will literally explode your energy.

Do the exercise right now. You might as well apply what you're learning? You do want to feel better, right? It's so incredibly easy, yet so profoundly powerful. Breathe into the pit of your stomach. As deep as you can. Put your hand on the bottom of your stomach and push your stomach out as you breathe.

While you read this, relax and start breathing deeply. Make sure you breathe in through your nose. Now breathe as deeply as you can, hold it, as long as comfortable then breathe out through your mouth. Would you expect to go to the gym one time and say Great, now I'm fit for life and I'll never need to work out again!? The answer is no. The same thing applies with breathing. You’ll notice an explosion in how you feel if you take this and use this.

The best thing about deep breathing is it can be done anywhere while you're doing others things. You can do it while driving, sitting or working at a computer. I advise many of my clients who sit in front of a computer all day to learn to deep breath and keep their circulation moving by doing basic ankle exercises. Do this and the difference in your energy at the end of your day will be noticeable.

This tool is simple and can be used anytime, anywhere. It helps lower stress, increase energy, aid mental clarity and infuse every cell in your body with the most precious element for the body, oxygen.