Breathing
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Foundational Approach to Health – Breathing
We breathe every moment of every day. Breathing is our most constant and necessary activity, yet we often don't think about it. Many of us breathe inefficiently; we breathe through our mouths, taking shallow breaths and using our chests rather than our diaphragms.
However, respiration is one of the most important functions of the body; Oxygen plays a key role in our metabolism and energy levels. Thus, the rhythm and rate the breath not only reflects one's physical condition but also helps create one's physical condition. Breathing is under both voluntary and autonomic control - meaning that by voluntarily slowing down our breathing we can have a positive effect on the autonomic system of the body - and improve all other body systems controlled by the autonomic system.
On average, when most people breathe in normally, they take in only about 350 ml of air into the lungs. When we breathe in deeply with our diaphragm, we are able to take in 4500 ml to 6000 ml of air into the lungs. Pranayama is a breathing exercise used in yoga that promotes proper breathing; it is most commonly translated as “the control of the breath.” The benefits of Pranayama are numerous:
Better Circulation
When we breathe only using the chest, our breathing becomes rapid and shallow. This kind of chest breathing doesn’t fully expand the lungs and leaves static air in parts of the lungs. Expanding only parts of the lungs increases the likelihood of poor blood circulation, which impairs the functioning of the organs and can lead to infection or other health problems.
Cardiovascular Benefits
How you breathe directly affects your cardiovascular system. Daily practice of deep, diaphragmatic breathing on a daily basis has been shown to have a positive effect on essential hypertension (high blood pressure of unknown cause). Other problems such as headaches and migraines, which can be caused by a lack of oxygen, will also benefit from deep breathing. Although breathing from your diaphragm is easy to do, the habit of doing it must be consciously cultivated before it can become automatic.
Improve your breathing with Saagara's app "Pranayama", which will guide you to better breathing.
Medical Evidence
Click here to read more about the medical evidence.
Breathing - Information on deep breathing and its health benefits
Pranayama – All About Yoga Breathing
Pranayama – Techniques and Tips
Pranayama – All About Breathing and Your Health
Pranayama – Suggestions for Specific Regimens
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