You can live for 3 weeks without food and 3 days without water, but only a few minutes without air. The very first thing a newborn does earthside is breathe. Air is the most underrated yet crucial life-force. In Chinese Medicine, Fall is related to the Metal element which correlates with the Lungs. This makes Fall the most important time to focus on the quality of our breath to support our lungs and overall well-being. [To learn more about this, check out the AUTUMN+METAL ELEMENT post.]
Working with clients I realized the lack of education around the importance of the breath and the proper way to breathe. What most of us are taught when exposed to breath techniques is distended belly breaths and loud manual exhales- which can actually be harsh on the body when it comes to regular breath. Proper breathing is the way of breathing that is physiologically optimal for the body. This means maximum oxygen intake and minimal stress on the body.
Why it’s important to breathe properly
Respiratory health influences all other systems because oxygen is utilized in almost every processes in the body. The respiratory system is closely intertwined with the following systems:
Nervous system
Efficient respiration ensures calm nervous system
Brain uses 20% of our oxygen supply
Immune System
Oxygen is a healing & animating life force
Low oxygen leads to low energy & causes disease
Cardiovascular system
Poor breathing impairs circulation
Low levels of oxygenated blood stress the heart
Muscular system
Oxygen used in muscle function
Low oxygen causes tension, spasms & pain
How to breathe properly
Proper breathing is relaxed, silent, and rhythmic.
When the breath is relaxed, there is minimal muscle activation. This means the body only moves the minimal amount necessary. The main breathing tool is the diaphragm. It contracts during inhalation, pushing down onto the abdomen. Because of this, every full breath is like a little massage and manual detox for our organs. Breathing into the abdomen should be 360 expansion: front, back & side-to-side simultaneously- versus distended belly breaths that strain the body. The muscles between our ribs, the intercostals, are basically accessory muscles for breathing and should only be used when absolutely necessary. This means the ribs should be moving minimally during normal breathing.
Silent breathing is a sign of proper breathing. Loud inhales and exhales for regular breath can utilize unnecessary energy and stress the body. In fact, exhalations do not require any conscious action. On the exhale, the diaphragm simply relaxes. This creates a pressure difference that naturally pushes air out of the lungs.
Rhythmic breathing is smooth and continuous during the inhale-exhale cycle. Holding or pausing the breath is considered irregular breathing and can decrease the oxygen intake. Full breaths are crucial to fulfill the gaseous exchange between O2 & CO2 and the blood. Due to gravity, the exchange happens at the bottom ends of our lungs so short breaths don’t carry oxygen to this essential point. In addition, breathing is most optimal through the nose because it filters, warms, and moisturizes air for lungs unlike the mouth.
These are my personal tips for regular breathing, and they don’t necessarily apply to various breathwork techniques. I’m not a trained breathworker, just a bodyworker who is passionate about proper breathing for well-being. If you’re interested in exploring breathing on a personal level, or would like to learn practical breathwork techniques, book a session with me.
Artwork: Bedelgeuse