Breathing is the vital force of life. It is considered to be the mind-body bridge. Breathing is something that is done everyday, unconsciously; yet the majority of people do it improperly. When babies breathe, it is instinctive. Watching a healthy baby while sleeping, one may notice the deep breaths that are taken which fill up the diaphragm and move up into the lungs. As a person ages, bad habits are picked up, health often declines, nutrition worsens, and stress overwhelms the proper function of breathing. The word pranayama means "that which extends infinitely everywhere". It is the practice of prana or breath. The breath begins at an energy center inside and extends throughout the body to keep one alive. We exercise our bodies, but what about our breathing?
The balanced and peaceful individual is said to have more prana dispersed within the body rather than outside of the body. An image of a breath center with arrows pointing outward but staying within the boundaries of the physical being is one way to imagine an individual with healthy prana. It is thought that, when the prana remains in the body, the individual is free of physical symptoms. If one feels ill, anxious, restless, or discontented, the prana is at a greater force externally than within. This can show up in a variety of warning signs, from the overt physical manifestations, to the mental feelings of depression, lack of motivation, etc?
The state of mind is directly connected to breathing. The quality of our breath influences the state of our mind and vice-versa. They are one and the same. The most obvious example here would be the quality of breath in a stressful situation. The mind is overloaded with worries and the breath, in turn, becomes rapid, shallow, and sometimes even forgotten altogether. If the breath is used deeply and in a proper manner, the mind's focus is taken away from the situation at hand and placed back into a state of peacefulness which shows an immediate reciprocation in the calming of the breath and the mind.
Humans generally, and often unknowingly, pollute themselves and the Earth with toxic substances and various forms of rubbish whether it is in what is consumed, or in what is allowed in the mind. Breathing suffers because of this. Breath, the very most important thing that bodies need besides water, is neglected or contaminated. When the body is filled with debris, breathing suffers, as there is not enough room for it to flourish in the body. A daily breathing practice, along with the other important aspects of a healthy lifestyle, can free the body of detrimental breathing patterns and reverse the process of destruction brought upon by our modern day society.
Breathing exercises are excellent tools that can even be used in everyday situations. In many instances, especially those entrenched in fear, anger, or stress, breathing will help to diffuse the state of mind that may cause a reaction or statement that is contrary to a balanced way of life. The exercises can also be used before speeches or performances that may be otherwise anxiety-ridden. Breathing exercises can be used in childbirth preparation and, hopefully, during labor to reduce the intensity of the baby's birth. The benefits of pranayama are numerous and one who exercises the breath can only hope to have an opportunity to delve deeper into this realm that holds so much significance in our existence on this Earth.
Prana is life and pranayama is its exaltation. One should begin by becoming familiar with the breath and noticing the times when the breath is shallow; be the breath observer. It is recommended to begin breathwork with a qualified teacher (registered yoga teachers are trained in pranayama). As with anything, the more one practices, the more it becomes automatic and a way of life. How can we deny the breath its proper exercise and practice? The next time you find yourself in a stressful situation, remember to take the phrase "just breathe" seriously as it may be that one body-mind-spirit link that you are missing.
"When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed, the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath."(Hatha Yoga Pradipika)
Deborah L. Shipley, RYT
Deborah is a Registered Yoga Teacher and a writer of the free monthly e-zine Self Esteem: Shining from Within. If you would like to contact her please visit her website: http://www.quizforselfesteem.com her blog hosted e-zine site: http://www.quizforselfesteem.com or e-mail her at http://www.quizforselfesteem.com
Looking for all of the answers in how to manage... Read More
One question that is not asked enough by people under... Read More
Have you ever considered sewing a handbag as an act... Read More
Lake Hopatcong, NJ (PRWEB) November 30, 2004 -- Here are... Read More
Recently the well known American news anchor Peter Jennings died... Read More
I recently received this e-mail message about stress management (author... Read More
My work often deals with proactive, preventive means to Overcome... Read More
It is very true that, unfortunately, many people look to... Read More
The World Health Organization calls stress "the health epidemic of... Read More
June is the month of the honey moon. Custom holds... Read More
Have you ever noticed what occurs when you are suddenly... Read More
10 Ways to Monitor Corporate Stress LevelsGood military leaders work... Read More
Stress can affect virtually any part of the body and... Read More
"I'm stressed out."If you find yourself thinking--or saying--this on a... Read More
This is a tool to measure the amount of stress... Read More
Mark Twain once said, "It's not what we don't know... Read More
Q. I've been told that I need to learn from... Read More
Several studies, including one of medical students around exam time,... Read More
1. Take a relaxing bath. Add music, candles and a... Read More
When Army leaders fail to control battlefield stress, they lose... Read More
For those of you who have been living in a... Read More
It's no secret that we women, by virtue of our... Read More
Stress is often seen as being unhealthy, but for some... Read More
Did you know that taking a short trip, such as... Read More
I hear from many people that they see ever increasing... Read More
licensed cleaning services Lake Forest ...Make stress less of an issue for you in your... Read More
Burt Reynolds revealed his vulnerable side when he realized he... Read More
1. The Law of GiftsRichard Bach, author of "Illusions" says... Read More
So many of us live a stressful life. Unfortunately, when... Read More
Marshal John Kruger acted by Arnold Schwarzenegger (who else) in... Read More
Stress Vs PressureStress is something we all have, it's not... Read More
Q: "My career, though very very stressful, is one that... Read More
Work stress has become a major problem today. The nature... Read More
"We do not stop playing because we grow old. We... Read More
If you've recently experienced loss or are going through a... Read More
To be a safe and predictable person for those around... Read More
The best way to reduce your stress is to really... Read More
Stress is more than just unpleasant. It's dangerous. Try these... Read More
Q: We recently had someone come to our company to... Read More
We've all experienced it-computerized technology that doesn't function properly. PCs... Read More
Get at least 15 minutes of sunshine daily.Daily Exercise -... Read More
What is Stress?Stress may be defined as the three-way relationship... Read More
We all know what it's like coming home from a... Read More
"Watch your language."We all heard this admonition as kids and... Read More
Statistics tell us that more people have migraine headaches on... Read More
Everyone worries. As bothersome as it is, worry isn't all... Read More
Many people recognise the warning signs that stress may be... Read More
According to the Australian Council of Trade Unions' (A.C.T.U.) 1997... Read More
Feeling stressed? Who isn't!! In today's society, feeling "stressed out,"... Read More
While free-lancing for business magazines, I was assigned to write... Read More
Stress Management |