The Importance of breathing, breathwork and information on how to properly breath
Breath and breathwork is a powerful tool we have that can make significant and positive changes to our minds and bodies. Our breath and our nervous system directly affect each other. In times of stress we tend to breathe shallow and fast. Also, bad habits developed over time can lend to shallow, fast breath in non-stressful situations. This type of breathing can trick our body into a state of stress. This in turn decreases cognitive function, increases heart rate and blood pressure, reduces physical ability, and disrupts sleep. The good news is we have this built-in tool of breath that we can use anytime and anywhere! Deep, slow breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system aka our “rest and digest”. Doing this can decrease levels of cortisol (stress hormone) along with countering all the above issues.
To ensure proper breathing we want to use our diaphragm. The diaphragm is our major muscle of respiration. It is a large, dome-shaped muscle that contracts and expands with our inhales and exhales.
Diaphragmatic Breathing
- Relax your shoulders and sit back or lie down.
- Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest.
- Inhale through your nose for a count of 4 seconds, directing the air to move into your abdomen and feeling your stomach expand out.
- Breathe out for a count of 4 seconds through pursed lips and feel your abdomen deflate
- Repeat.
- Start with 5 minutes a day!
WHAT IS POSTURE?
WHY IS POSTURE IMPORTANT?
