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It seems almost simple minded -- "Breathing is the foundation of health" It
is amazing how often it is over looked. We can live without food for up to 40
days…without water for three days. But without taking a breath, we die in
just minutes. Oxygen is a critical component of life, but nearly 80% of
Americans constantly deprive themselves of oxygen by inhaling only 20 - 30% of
their potential lung capacity. To make matters worst 75% of breathing
capacity is lost between the ages of 25 and 75, unless steps are taken to
reverse this decrease.
Are you feeling tired, sick or anxious much of the time? If your cells are
not getting enough oxygen, they are literally struggling to survive. This causes
overall anxiety and a sense of lack or struggle. Low blood oxygen levels have
been linked to an astonishing number of catastrophic illnesses such as heart
disease and cancer, as well as a huge number of the more common physical and
emotional ailments. And breathing does much more than contribute oxygen to the
body. Rigorous movement of the diaphragm provides important stimulation of
abdominal organs - especially the liver and intestines! And proper breathing is
capable of eliminating an astonishing 70% of our body's waste!
So, why are most of us breathing improperly? First, consider the systematic
"training" we receive throughout our lives, to "stop crying". In order to avoid
crying when we need to express (ie., "push out") physical or emotional pain, we
must hold our breath. With practice, we become so adept at holding in our
feelings with our breath, we nearly lose the ability to breathe and feel.
Eventually, we are holding the breath at the slightest sign of stress - when we
need it most! In addition, the desire to look good leads to the wearing of
under-wire bras, tight-wasted clothing and slimming undergarments. The standard
"chest out, stomach in" ideal encourages men and women alike to make an effort
to breathe using the chest muscles, instead of the diaphragm (the primary
breathing muscle), which requires letting the belly soften and swell slightly.
With the assistance of a professional breathing coach anyone can learn to
expand breathing capacity. Conscious Connected Breathing is the basis of a
number of therapeutic processes (including Transformational Breathingâ„¢, Vivationâ„¢,
Rebirthingâ„¢, OxyGenesis Breathworkâ„¢), which release chronic tension and retrain
the body to breathe more fully. By using a connected breathing rhythm (no pause
between inhale and exhale) that simulates a crying infant, we give our bodies
permission to release previously unexpressed physical and emotional trauma that
got stored in the cells when we stifled our tears.
Once the major energy blocks (tensions from stored trauma) and corresponding
beliefs about ourselves are expressed and cleared, most people report a feeling
of being connected more fully with their spiritual nature. This gives rise to a
sense of faith and joy that changes life dramatically. Through breathing
therapy, you can re-establish the natural, involuntary breathing response to
stress, so that it becomes automatic to breathe deeply and relax after stubbing
a toe, getting cut off in traffic, dealing with relationship issues or minor
health problems. The negative effects of major stressors, including intense
grief, addictions and severe illness or injury, can be reduced as well.
Your breathing can become a highly versatile self-healing tool for life. Try
this exercise for a tiny glimpse of what conscious breathing can do for you:
Wearing loose clothing, sit or lay down comfortably. Close your eyes and take
a moment to get quiet. Place your hands on your lower belly and press firmly
with the tips of your fingers. Inhale slowly, feeling the expansion of your
abdomen as it pushes your hands outward. (If your hands don't move, consciously
force the belly to protrude as you inhale.). When the belly area seems full,
continue the inhalation - letting it rise up under your breastbone, and
gradually into the upper ribcage and under your shoulders. Allow (don't force)
your shoulders to rise up and backward slowly and gently, your back arching
slightly to expand the chest cavity. Notice and exaggerate every detail of the
experience.
At the top of the inhale, when it seems no more air will fit in, take one
last sip of air and then just relax your body as the exhale gushes out through
the mouth with a big relaxing sigh. Once the exhale stops on its own, give the
diaphragm a quick, gentle squeeze (pull it toward the spine) to expel more air
from the lungs. As your diaphragm springs back, your next inhale begins the next
repetition.
Do fifteen repetitions without pausing. Notice how your body and mind feel
afterward. If you feel a little light-headed, that's okay. Just sit or lay there
and enjoy the sensation. If you had difficulty taking in the breath, couldn't
stay focused, or it was an unpleasant experience, these are signs that you are
in urgent need of a consultation.
In today's modern world of high technology, it seems hard to believe that
something as simple as breathing techniques can make such a difference. Why
don't they use this in hospitals? Why doesn't my doctor know about this? The
fact that breathing cannot be patented provides ample insight into its relative
anonymity in the US: It's not highly profitable! Happily, learning to breathe
more fully, with the assistance of a professional, remains amazingly affordable
for those who are willing to take responsibility for achieving good health.
Why choose breathing therapy in a world filled with holistic therapies, some
of which seem much more exciting? As one client stated, "Your lungs are with you
every day." And as Andrew Weil, MD says, "Breath is the movement of Spirit on
the body. Spirit is your essential power."
Lois Grasso is the founder of OxyGenesis Breathwork, and the non-profit
OxyGenesis Institute in West Hartford, CT. She is available for individual and
group breathing sessions, and seminars in corporate and educational settings.
She can be reached at 860-747-3999. Visit her website at www.OxyGenesis.org
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