Every cell in your body inhales the oxygen and exhales the carbon dioxide – a process called respiration. Breathing is important, because our cells constantly need a new supply of oxygen so they can produce energy – without this vital oxygen, cellular function is impaired, and damage or cell death is possible. Breathing is the first thing we do when we are born and the last thing we do before we die. How much importance do we give to breathing? Unfortunately, we often take our breath for granted. Most of us use only a third of the actual breathing capacity and, therefore, without being aware of it and we can not breathe well. Most of us only notice our breath when something happens to prevent us from breathing normally. When we are upset or stressed our breathing becomes quick and shallow.
Breathing deeply and slowly instantly calms us down mentally as well as physically. Here is an opportunity for a mindfulness practice. Too often our mind is thinking about something while our body is doing something else, and as a result, our mind and our body are not unified. Through our breathing, we bring not only oxygen to our body but also excrete toxic substances that we have created with bad breathing. This can easily stagnate in our bodies and damage our vital functions. Concentrating on our breathing, also helps us to live in the present and feel alive. Doing breathing exercises in the morning and in the evening can help us to become healthier and stronger.
The Feldenkrais Method of - Awareness Through Movement empowers you with conscious breathing habits. Breathing in the Feldenkrais Method is about letting the diaphragm and other muscles in the torso do their job. To exhale with the abdomen goes in or out depending on the activity. With a large sound or intense exertion like exercise, the belly goes out. In quiet breathing, the belly goes in. Both are equally necessary for full human functioning. It's helpful to stop thinking of breathing as something you do to yourself. Often in my practice I observe people distancing themselves from the act of breathing.
Do you make it feel like something that requires some technique that you impose on yourself? Try and not separate your self from the biological act of breathing. Consider that you are simply alive, living and just breathing. Whether it's swimming, running, picking up your child, or sitting at a computer, let yourself be breathed. Digestion problems, severe movement limitation, back pain, and emotional imbalance are just some of the results of trying (because it's impossible anyway) to adopt - as your only option - breathing that is intended for a specific goal. Get out of your own way and take in a good breath! If you had only one last breath, what would your thoughts be then?