Breathing for Life

Breathe Deep...

We have always known that, “the life is in the blood”. We are only now accepting the reality of that statement and how vital breathing is to our well being.

When we breathe in we start a series of actions that affects every cell in the body. With that breath of life we fill the lungs with oxygen (actually a mixture of several gases), that then filters into the blood stream. When this happens each red cell becomes invigorated by the simple addition of this combination of gases.

This then travels throughout the body from head to toe. Fresh blood courses through brain tissues and awakens our master computer. After all, it's through the brain that we experience the world around us as well as regulate bodily functions. The oxygenated blood travels through the arteries, veins, and capillaries delivering life-giving stimulus. If it were not for breath we could not live one moment.

Since breathing is so vital we must realize that there is a proper and optimum way of doing it. Eastern medicine and philosophers have recognized this for centuries and accept it as truth. Only now are western cultures catching up to this and acting upon it.

To breathe correctly we need to use all of the apparatus we were given for that purpose. This includes the diaphragm, lungs; muscles of the stomach, abdomen, and chest cavity just to name the basic structures.

In this article I have outlined a series of exercises that can work for almost anyone. I ask that you take your time with these and that you do not push yourself beyond your capacity. If, at anytime, there is discomfort, STOP what you are doing. Just because I have something outlined in a particular week or step doesn't mean that you have to match it exactly. Pick a pace that feels right to you and have fun with this, you won't do it if you don’t like it.

Find the most comfortable clothing you have, something that doesn't bind you in any way and allows the most movement without constriction. If you are comfortable doing this in the nude please do so since this will offer the complete expression of the exercise without any thing hampering your movements. You will also want to have a notebook handy to jot down your progress.

Ready? Ok, let's start!

Week One:

Step One:
I suggest that you sit in a straight back chair rather than lying down. Place your feet firmly on the floor (if they don’t reach, put a book under them), with both the toes and heels touching the ground without stretching. Try to sit in a position that gives a straight line from the base of the spine through the back and extending up to the crown of the head. This may not seem normal at first since many of us tend to slouch in the shoulders as well as letting the spine curve.

Step Two:
Empty your lungs as much as you are able. With your mouth shut breathe in through the nose for a count of three. Hold that breath for another count of three, and then let it out while silently counting to three, and complete this five times in a row.

If you don’t empty your lungs completely you will not complete the cycle you need to set up.

Build the repetitions till you are counting up to five on each; breath in, holding, and expression of air. It sounds very simple, and it is. You are creating a change within the body from the first set of breathing exercises you perform. You are starting a regimen that can be life giving as well as bringing you more mental awareness than you have had in years.

The best time to do this group of breathing exercises is in the morning and evening.
After you have wakened in the morning and gone to the bathroom would be the morning spot, and in the evening it is best to do right before going to bed.

Commit yourself to this group of exercises for one week before going any farther. Try to make this a part of your day, as normal as any other habits you might have. If you want to stay at this level longer that is fine, go forward at your own speed and do not press beyond your capacity. If you find yourself loosing energy at work try just a few of these breathing activities before reaching for that cup of coffee or cola. A crisp apple or a glass of orange juice can be a better pick-me-up and the effects of the natural sugars will last longer than the boost from the stimulants.

Week Two:

You should already feel a difference as a result of your new breathing regimen. Some people notice that they no longer need as many stimulants after following this plan for even one week. Please don’t give up your favorite brew altogether unless you really want to. Giving up coffee, tea, or cola can cause headaches and irritability because you are accustomed to having the caffeine that these drinks give you, however you might try cutting down slowly.

Step One:
Have a one pound weight handy, this can be anything you are comfortable with. I find that the shape of a 1 pound salt container is comfortable for me. You might like an actual weight or a box of sugar, etc.

Choose either a firm mattress or the floor depending on your agility and ability to get up and down. You may choose to put a pillow under your shoulders/head and/or knees to make yourself more comfortable especially if you are overweight or have full breasts since either condition may make it hard to lie completely flat without feeling as if you are being crushed.

Lying as flat as possible, place the box of salt on the space directly over the sternum, and between the breasts. This will be easy for some and somewhat of a chore for others.

Now start the regular exercise program with a three count, letting the air out, breathing in, holding the breath, and then expressing the air. Adding the placement of the salt increases the amount of effort that you must put forth in order to lift the box up and down while doing the exercise.

As in the other group of breathing exercises you will want to build this from three to five counts as you feel more comfortable. Changing the location from the chest to the stomach and then to the abdomen will increase the effort and allow you to utilize more muscles.

Continue this for at least one week, by the end of that week you can start adding additional weight, by taping another weight to the first one. (Do not exceed five pounds!) The effect of this exercise can be very noticeable depending on the effort put forth and the amount of additional weight you apply.

Step Two:
Make sure you take your time adding the weight. Let the process build gently. The idea is to work up to things slowly adapting the body to each new task before going on to another. Take at least a week to build up the amount of weight you are lifting with each breath.

Week Three:

If you want to make a change in the process alternate the setting and lying exercises doing one in the mourning and the other in the evening. Keep track of your work with a simple entry in a note pad. List the time of day and any weights that you are using, as well as the positions you are using and the repetitions being pushed.

Water work:
You can try doing your sitting exercise while in the bathroom after taking a hot shower. It requires a different form of effort since the air is so much more humid.

Inclining Posture:
Do your lying down postures adding the element of raising your feet and lower legs to a position that keeps them well above the rest of your body. This increases the amount of power that you will have to use in order to move the weights.

Week Four:

In actuality the next group of things are just changes in the way you will be doing the exercises. Each change in position will allow a different set of muscles to act and grow.

Standing Posture Alternative:

Extending the arms straight ahead and at shoulder height through one set of repetitions.
Extend your arms above the head and held apart at shoulder width through one set of repetitions.
Extend arms behind your back while clasping your wrists while doing one set of repetitions.
Extend arms across chest and put the palms as close to the shoulders as possible while doing one set of repetitions.

Week Five:

Included here are different postures for sets that can be down while lying down. They are designed to open up different channels of energy.

Lying down with the smallest of weights in place lifting one leg to knee height while doing one repetition, and then rolling over to do the same with the other leg.
This uses your own body weight as the force you work against. Lying tummy down with hands extended above your head and shoulders, proceed with a repetition of the exercises.
Lying on one side with arms extended outward from the body at the height of the shoulders, do one repetition of the exercises.

Conclusion:

From this point on you may want to use these different forms for several breathing exercises per day. Always try to get in at least your morning and evening set.

This is the beginning of a process that can lead to many things. Almost all yoga practice begins with correct breathing as well as many of the martial arts. Each has its way of introducing students to the practice of correct breathing. In meditation it is vital for you to be able to breathe correctly in order to allow the mind to exercise itself in the form of meditating.

Remember, take your steps slowly! Allow each change to take place only when you feel you are ready. Don’t do anything that causes discomfort. A mild stretching sensation is one thing, but there should never be a burning sensation. The addition of weight is to aid you in conditioning the muscle tone it is not there for an endurance test.

I wish you success and more importantly I wish you well being and spiritual clarity.

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