Correct Yoga Breathing

Breathing is integral to life, and something we all take very much for granted. ‘As normal as breathing’ is an expression used to describe actions that are performed without conscious thought. Yet, the act of inhalation is only half the story - HOW one takes that breath and how one releases it, is what determines one’s overall wellness quotient.

It follows, then, that we must keep our respiratory system in optimal condition. The respiratory system includes the upper air passages, lungs, and the muscles that control breathing. However keeping our respiratory system clean and our lungs and pleura healthy and without disease is becoming progressively more difficult due to changes in our environment. While asbestos and silicate particles in inhaled air has exploded the incidence of asbestosis, mesothelioma (a cancer of the pleura) and silicosis, smoke pollution has further compounded afflictions like mesothelioma and lung cancers.

Breathing is best when it is slow, deep and regular. Breath is most beneficial when the air is taken in through the nose and when the process of respiration deploys relevant muscles of the chest, lungs, belly and pelvis to optimize the volume of air exhaled and inhaled.

The importance of the diaphragm muscle, in this process, is often not understood or is underestimated. When a person exhales fully, in a slow and natural way, as taught in yoga, the diaphragm actually helps "squeeze" the stale, used air out of the lungs, which enables the lungs to take in a larger volume of fresh air with each breath. Inhalation then occurs as a reflex action and without effort. This, combined with releasing the tensions in the back, chest, ribs, and pelvis (which can occur through well-designed physical movements and postures, like the Tibetan yoga rejuvenation technique) allow the lungs to expand more completely. These are some of the conditions that make healthy harmonious breathing possible, and also maintain the lungs in healthy condition.

The air travels down the respiratory passages to the alveoli. These balloon-like sacs in the lungs (numbering millions) are the medium through which the inhaled oxygen passes into the bloodstream, and the carbon dioxide element passes from the blood into the respiratory tract, to be exhaled.

The breathing muscles and organs have to work together for breathing to be effective. This pre-supposes that the environmental conditions do not provide impediments, as in the case of an asbestos laden atmosphere that leads to mesothelioma and asbestosis Smoke pollution from first and second hand smoking has further exploded afflictions like mesothelioma, lung cancers, and occupational lung diseases.

It also follows that the intake of fresh oxygenated air would depend significantly on the condition of the lungs and respiratory passages. Any disorder in functioning of any of the parts involved would impede the respiratory process.

Correct respiration, especially when conducted as per instructions given in the Tibetan yoga rejuvenation Video/DVD (“Restore Your Health & Vitality” Video/DVD) can benefit your health in a number of ways, some of them being:

1. Detoxify your organs and tissues through massage-like manipulations
2. Carry adequate oxygen to your cells, organs, and tissues to enable
them to function efficiently
3. Promote lymphatic drainage and elimination of waste products3.
4. Strengthen the muscles of the solar plexus and diaphragm
5. Increase lung capacity.
6. Act as a de-stressor by harmonizing the nervous system
7. Promote communication between your conscious and unconscious selves
8. Help with specific medical problems you may have.
9. Serve to bridge the left and right hemispheres of the brain
10.Help in coping with anxiety attacks

When undertaking the rejuvenation yoga exercises, air must be inhaled and exhaled in a particular way. It is therefore, necessary to be aware
of the specific function of each of these exercises – which has been explained in the video/DVD.

For instance, while the primary function of breathing is to oxygenate the cells and tissues, and to eliminate carbon dioxide, one must understand that Carbon Dioxide also has a part to play in the system. In fact hyper-ventilation, or loss of carbon dioxide too fast can lead to increased alkalinity of the blood – a condition known as alkalosis.

One problem that arises for people who hyperventilate is that loss of carbon dioxide too quickly impedes the diaphragm from completing its
entire range of motion and all the breathing muscles become tense. Also, many people have weak diaphragms that are badly coordinated with the secondary breathing muscles in the chest, back, ribs, and lungs. According to some breath therapists the average person on the street functions with one to two inches of diaphragm extension, when the maximum excursion (full movement up and down) of the diaphragm is just over 5 inches.

Having the requisite level of carbon dioxide in the blood helps keep the arteries healthy while enabling the oxygen in the blood to be released where and when needed in the cells of the brain and body.

Other effects of carbon dioxide- it also helps maintain the proper acid/alkaline ratio in the body (which supports the immune system), helps keep the blood vessels dilated, helps relax the nervous system (too little carbon dioxide actually excites the nervous system, thus adding to our feeling of stress), helps regulate the cardiovascular system, and improves digestive functioning and metabolism.

Perhaps you are now beginning to understand why while doing yoga and breathing exercises, you need a guide to teach you, amongst other things, how not to release too much carbon dioxide too quickly.