Of all the ways to reduce stress and improve overall health and well-being, breathwork is one of the oldest and most effective.  It apparently originated in ancient India and has been incorporated into yoga, martial arts, and many holistic practices.

 

A little physiology helps explain why abdominal breathing is so powerful and so highly regarded by physicians. 

 

The Lungs

 

The lungs are large organs -- narrow at the top and wide at the bottom -- that reach from the collarbone all the way down to the diaphragm.  Air capacity and blood flow is least in the upper lobes and greatest in the lower lobes.  You can see this clearly in the diagram below.

Respiration and Oxygenation

 

The object of respiration is not only to get enough air to breathe comfortably, but to oxygenate the maximum amount of blood.  Oxygenation means to infuse the blood supply with badly needed oxygen.  Metabolism takes place only when oxygen is drawn into the body's systems through the circulation of oxygenated blood.  This process generates energy for cells to perform their vital functions and eliminate waste by-products.

 

The Autonomic Nervous System

 

The Autonomic Nervous System has two parts:

• Sympathetic
• Parasympathetic

The Sympathetic controls the stress response, getting us ready for fight or flight when a crisis arises.

 

The Parasympathetic controls the relaxation response, once the emergency is over.

 

Shallow vs. Abdominal Breathing

 

When we breathe shallowly, we neither get enough air nor oxygenate enough blood for optimum health and creativity.  Not only that, we may trigger Sympathetic activity when there is no emergency, creating stress and anxiety states and setting up a breeding ground for all kinds of disease (please see our page of Medical Testimonials). 

 

When we breathe abdominally, we maximize metabolic potential, producing cell energy, stimulating the lymph system to detoxify the body of poisons, releasing endorphins (the body's natural pain killers), triggering Parasympathetic activity and correcting Sympathetic Nervous System excesses. 

 

If You're "Hyper," It's Time To Slow Down

 

If you are a "Type A" personality, or just feel stressed and "running on empty" most of the time, even a slight slowing down could literally save your life.  Here's why:

 

Overactivity of the Sympathetic Nervous System, with its continuing secretion of stress hormones like adrenalin and cortisol, is responsible for many physical and emotional problems, including unnecessary stress and stress-related diseases and conditions such as:

• Hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar) leading to Type 2 Diabetes

• Obesity

• Arteriosclerosis

• Cardio-vascular problems

• Thyroid irregularities

• Anxiety states and sleep disturbances 

• Immune system suppression

• Cognitive impairment

• Sexual dysfunction / loss of libido

Additionally, high cortisol levels are a common problem in depression, alcoholism, and malnutrition.  Because lowering high cortisol levels is one of the effects of abdominal breathing, people recovering from these conditions benefit greatly from practicing it.

 

Abdominal breathing is probably the easiest, most time-efficient, and most effective change you can make.  And it's right under your nose.

Click here to see why abdominal breathing is so highly regarded by well-informed medical professionals.