Just Breathe

We can go a few days without eating, and less without drinking water. However, life is absolutely dependent on breathing. Life expectancy can be measured in a matter of minutes without oxygen. In a self-defense situation we teach that taking the breath of your assailant is entirely  effective. Of course there are moral implications. However, a self-defense situation is a situation of death or grievous bodily harm to yourself. I digress, that is not what we're talking about today and we can revisit this discussion later.

Breathing may be considered one of the most important functions of the body. Aside from the low life expectancy from lack of oxygen Breathing serves other functions. Breathing is the process by which oxygen gets into and purifies the blood of the body's waste in the form of CO2. The oxygenated blood then proceeds to all the cells of the body bringing the fuel needed for them to function and taking away the waste by product. Everything from the immune system to the digestive system requires oxygen. Conscious execution of full breathing can increase our energy and boost our vitality. Full / deep breathing also benefits mental wellness. Deep breathing making use of the abdomen signals the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated it signals the body's processes to calm down and de-stress. Shutting down our natural responses to stressors.

 Over years of lack of full use the lungs can become weak and less able to fight off diseases. Keeping lungs healthy and strong requires deep full breathing. Full breaths require starting with belly breathing, filling the bottom of the lungs. Next expand the rib cage and allow air into the middle part of the lungs. Then raise the shoulders and chest to open the upper lungs. Exhale in reverse order. Imagine a balloon inflating and deflating.

It is suggested for better health to make use of the nostrils primarily when breathing. Nostril breathing helps warm and filter the air of pollutants and contagions. This can be counterintuitive for people, like myself,  who've come up being taught that breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth is ideal. This is better than full out mouth breathing as mouth breathing has no filter between the outside and the lungs. Allowing pollutants and contagions inside, and stresses the lungs with cold air. 

The benefits of adopting a proper breathing technique and practicing it on the regular cannot be overstated. Breathing happens at every moment of every day. It makes sense to adopt a method that maintains health. Equally if we ingrain in our minds a form of breathing that enables calm and relaxation we won't have to work hard to use it when we are stressed. 

Be well,

Have fun,

Take care,

Be safe,

Sensei Mike

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