Breathing is of vital importance, and knowing how to breathe correctly can help us improve our quality of life.
Three fundamental elements are needed to preserve the physical body: water, air and food.
The vital character of respiration is given by the following fact: we can live for weeks without solid food; without fluids for days, but a few minutes without oxygen are enough to make us lose our lives. Such is the basic importance of breathing.
All life processes are related to oxidation and reduction processes. Every cell in our body depends on the blood for its supply of oxygen. The amount of oxygen in the blood that circulates through the arteries determines the vitality and health of these cells, since these conditions depend on the supply of oxygen through the blood.
If breathing is faulty, the blood is not oxygenated well. The respiratory process, on the other hand, also stimulates the electrical processes of each of the cells.
For a better study of respiration, and taking into account that in certain individuals one or the other predominates, we can classify four forms of respiration:
- Clavicular : is the one carried out by the upper part of the lungs. Due to the pyramidal shape of the pulmonary sacs, this is the type of respiration that provides the least amount of oxygen to the body.
- Costal : it is carried out by the middle part of the lungs at the costal level. It is rare that this type of breathing occurs alone, always being accompanied by a clavicular or abdominal breathing .
- Abdominal : it is performed in the lower part of the lungs, and allows more oxygen to enter than the previous ones, also due to the pyramidal shape of the pulmonary sacs.
- Complete breathing : It is produced by the total filling of the lungs, including the lower, middle and upper part of them. It is done slowly, and without straining lung capacity.
The conscious breathing gives us the opportunity to expand our field of control over the physical body and emotional level .
Some Mindful Breathing Techniques
With a set of simple breathing techniques and a predisposition to return to our practices on a regular basis, we can develop both mentally and aerobically. The process I refer to is that of self-perception and self-knowledge. It is also important to note that controlled breathing can benefit us both on a preventive and curative level.
Yogi Breath
The complete yogi breath combines all the advantages of high, medium and low breathing. It brings into play the entire respiratory system, every part of the lungs, every air cell and every respiratory muscle.
The entire respiratory organism obeys this method of breathing and with the least energy consumption the greatest sum of benefits is obtained.
The capacity of the chest reaches its normal limits and each part of the mechanism performs its natural functions and work.
One of the most important characteristics of this method of breathing is that the respiratory muscles come into full play, whereas in the other breathing methods only part of these muscles are used.
In full breathing, the muscles that govern the ribs actively work among other muscles. and thus increases the space in which the lungs can dilate, and offer a convenient point of support for the organs when they need it.
In this method, the nature of the mechanical principle of the lever is used. Certain muscles hold the lower ribs firmly in position, while others curve it outward.
Rebirthing or Rebirth Breath
The proposal of Rebirthing is to learn to breathe again, merging inspiration with exhalation in an uninterrupted circle, so that the breath is connected and feels like an interrupted circle of energy.
This type of breathing can be done through the nose, whenever possible, or through the mouth and its objective is not only the movement of air but, above all, the movement of energy.
Pranayama breath or fire breath
Pranayama is a word derived from the Sanskrit Prana (pra = first unit, na = energy) and Yama: (control and extend, manifestation or expansion). Pranayama is a Yoga technique or practice that teaches us to control our breathing to heal our body and balance our mind.
This text is focused on highlighting the importance of controlling breathing and making readers more aware of its great benefits.