Article Surfing Archive

When it comes to alternative health practices, one of the simplest and most effective techniques you can use is to practice proper breathing. This may sound absurd to you at first, but many people actually breathe the wrong way. After years of being told to 'suck in your gut' to look thinner and supposedly more attractive, most people have trained themselves to breathe with their chest rather than with their diaphragm. As a result, both lungs are not being used to their fullest capacity. This can then lead to a decrease in the amount of oxygen reaching your major organs.

How Should I Breathe?

In order to provide your body with the proper oxygen supply and to help it stay well rested, you need to practice breathing with your diaphragm. This special form of breathing is referred to as Pranayama in the yoga world, with prana meaning energy and yama meaning control. Even if you do not conduct a full-blown yoga session, simply practicing these breathing techniques will help calm your body and increase the flow of oxygen within you.

To learn the proper breathing technique, it is usually helpful to lie down on a bed. Then, place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. If you have not practiced proper breathing in the past, you will notice that the hand on your chest moves up and down while the hand on your stomach remains relatively still. Practice breathing until the hand on your chest no longer moves, but only the hand on your stomach moves as you inhale and exhale.

Now What Should I Do?

Once you have mastered the art of breathing from your diaphragm ' which is often more difficult to do than most people think ' it is time to start counting while breathing. As you take in a deep breath through your nose, you should notice that your stomach expands. Hold your breath in for five seconds, then slowly release it through your mouth. Count for another five seconds and inhale again. Repeat this process 50 times for ultimate relaxation and oxygen flow.

You might also include a mantra, which is a phrase you speak inside your head, while breathing. The mantra could be a prayer or some positive message you tell yourself. Or, it could be something as simple as saying 'goodbye' while breathing in and 'stress' while breathing out. This can help improve your focus and help you feel more relaxed after your breathing session is done.

Can I Do More than Just Breathe?

After getting comfortable with these basic breathing techniques, you may wish to take it to the next level. Breathing and focusing are the basis for meditation. So, you might decide to expand your breathing session into a full-blown meditative session. As such, you can focus on your feeling and thoughts and try to become more in-tune with your body, your thoughts, and your emotions. In addition, as mentioned previously, this form of breathing is utilized in yoga. So, you might also want to try some basic yoga positions along with your breathing exercises in order to help your body stay fit and to further help it become relaxed and stress-free.