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Welcome to our Newsletter! To be notified of new Newsletter entries sign up to receive on Northern Zen Home pageJust BreatheBreathing is something we take for granted everyday, every breath but is so important not only to supply oxygen to the body but to keep the organs massaged and healthy. How we breath is the key to getting the most from not only your health but when it comes to Yoga it is important to help you get in and out of the Asanas (postures) to get the most from the stretch. Students are always amazed at how much deeper they can go in the practice just by timing the inhale and exhale with the movement into the Asana. The Diaphragm is the muscle we must control to maximize our ability to fill the lungs completely. Without the diaphragm we wouldn't be able to take an inhale or exhale so keeping this muscle in good form is very important but many factors interfere with the diaphragm moving easily and therefore inhibiting our ability to take a deep breath every time. Some factors that effect the movement of the diaphragm are body weight, inactivity, and smoking but the number one reason is not taking a deep enough breath or just breathing incorrectly.
So what is the best way to breathe? When we were babies we knew how to breathe. Watch a new born or even small child breathe, their belly pushes out as they inhale and in as they breathe out. This form of breathing is called Bellows breath and is the way we were meant to breathe. Each time we push the belly out it drops the diaphragm down and this action pulls air into the lungs filling them completely. When we exhale and assist in pushing our diaphragm up by pulling the abdomen in and up we create a vacuum that will automatically pull air in when the abdomen is pushed out again. It's important to get back to this way of breathing not only for your maximum oxygen intake but to keep your lungs healthy and prevent bacteria from forming in the unused areas of the lungs. How to do the Bellows Breath ( Our Natural way to Breathe)Inhale through the nose and push your belly our as you do. Breathe out through the Nose and pull your navel in and then up to force out all the air. Repeat for every Breath!ArchivesCategories |