The benefits of deep breathing

September 28th, 2007 by admin | Posted in Health |

Deep breathing exercises are one form of exercise that anyone can perform, at any age and the benefits are many. The Chinese have used deep breathing exercises for thousands of years in Tai Chi and meditation – it is also used in Chi gung and forms part of many yoga routines.

Some of the major benefits to performing deep breathing exercises on a regular basis include the reduction of stress and tension. People who regularly perform deep breathing routines are able to relax more quickly and easily.

Deep breathing especially when used in yoga brings about a feeling of good health and well being in general.

Breathing exercises have been shown to make a vast improvement in those suffering with chronic pain and midwives promoting natural childbirth teach deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing exercises are also thought to increase the energy levels due to more oxygen getting into the system.

Deep breathing is different from the way the majority of people breathe on a regular basis, the majority of adults shallow breathe, this is classed as the normal breathing pattern, as babies we breathe naturally, more deeper but as adults we outgrown it and get into the bad habit of shallow breathing. In order to get back onto a more natural breathing cycle we have to re-educate ourselves, this we can do by practicing deep breathing techniques.

Basic deep breathing is easy to learn and by practicing it on a regular basic you can soon begin to enjoy the benefits that it brings. Begin by inhaling slowly through your nose for the count of four seconds, exhale through your mouth for the count of 5 seconds, and repeat this cycle around 10 times. By practicing this form of deep breathing for at least 10 minutes every day you will gradually begin to breathe this way as the normal course.

A more extensive form of deep breathing exercise is that which is used in meditation. First make sure you are sitting or lying down comfortably, close your mouth and eyes and begin to take long slow deep inhalations and exhalations imagining each inhalation is like a wave building up inside you. As you breathe out think of this as the wave crashing against the shoreline. As you breathe this way focus on your breathing and notice how your lungs and abdomen expand. As you inhale pay particular attention to how the air feels entering your body and how it feels as it leaves your body. Always make sure that you remain relaxed at all times and that you keep your shoulders back and the chest is open.

Breathing this way will seem a little unnatural at first; however you should soon get used to breathing this way and eventually it will replace your old way of shallow breathing. When starting to breathe this way it is quite normal if you feel a little light headed, this will soon pass as your body gets used to the new way of taking air in and out of the body.