Your breath is essential to life; we began with it and it will be one of the last things we will do before we leave this world. Our breath affects our body, mind, emotions, and spirit. The importance of deep abdominal breathing exercise should not be overlooked. Deep breathing exercises have added benefits; it allows you to focus on filling your lungs fully counteracting shallow stress-out breathing, deep breathing increase vital energy so the body can detox itself, it also calms your digestive system, it can help with weight loss by keeping our cells in an aerobic state which encourage the burning of fat and deep breathing improves mental concentration, that’s just some of the many benefits that deep breathing can do to improve your life and reduce stress. Always consult your physician before starting a deep breathing exercise, if you have any respiratory issues or any medical concerns. There are two techniques of deep breathing I describe below you can try.
If you are not familiar with the deep breathing exercise start with the shallow breathing technique first.
Shallow breathing (read through before practicing)
Positions: sitting, lie down, walk around, yoga
· Sit comfortably with your back straight with your mouth closed and your jaw relaxed, inhale normally through your nose (not a deep breath). Take a small pause. This is one way to gradually get into deep breathing.
· As you slowly exhale through your nose, slightly constrict your throat, as if you were lightly scorning. Take a small pause With this technique you should feel this sensation in your upper throat. It should sound like ocean waves.
· Repeat cycle 3-5 times.
Once you master the technique of shallow inhaling and exhaling breathing, start increasing your breath. First, close your eyes and visualize the ocean waves crashing on the shore. Practicing this deep breathing technique you will experience the sound of the ocean. Ocean breathing or Ujjayi (pronounced oo-Jai) also known as victorious breath
Ocean breathing (read through before practicing)
Positions: sitting, lie down, walk around, yoga
· With your mouth close slowly inhale deeper than normal allowing the stomach to expand, it should sound like SAAA. Take a small pause
· Slowly exhale through your nose while constricting your throat muscles with your mouth closed. Make sure you are emptying all the air of your lungs. If you are doing this right, it should sound like HAAA like you are fogging up a mirror. Take a small pause
· Repeat cycle 3-5 times.
Your breathing should be steady and rhythmic. When practicing Ocean breathing correctly you should experience more energy and relaxation in your spirit, soul, and body. If you become light-headed, slow down your breathing, and if your throat gets dry sip water. Always consult your physician before starting a deep breathing exercise, if you have any respiratory issues or any medical concerns.