Three fundamental elements are needed to conserve the physical body: water, air, and food.
The vital character of the breath is given by the following fact: we can live for weeks without solid foods; Without liquids for days, but enough for a few minutes without oxygen to make us lose our lives. Such is the basic importance of breathing.
All processes of life are related to processes of oxidation and reduction. Each cell in our body depends on the blood for its oxygen supply. The amount of oxygen in the blood that circulates in the arteries determines the vitality and health of these cells, since these conditions depend on the oxygen supply through the blood. If the breathing is defective, the blood does not oxygenate well. The respiratory process, on the other hand, also stimulates the electrical processes of each of the cells.
For a better study of breathing, and taking into account that in certain individuals predominates one or the other, we can classify four forms of breathing:
1) Clavicular: is the one performed by the upper part of the lungs. Because of the pyramidal shape of the lung sacs, this is the type of respiration that less oxygen supplies to the body.
2) Costal: is the one performed by the middle part of the lungs at the costal level. It is rare that this type of breathing occurs alone, being always accompanied by clavicular or abdominal breathing.
3) Abdominal: it is performed in the lower part of the lungs, and allows greater oxygen input than the previous ones due also to the pyramidal form of the pulmonary sacs.
4) Complete breathing: It is produced by the total filling of the lungs, including the lower, middle and upper part of the lungs. It is performed slowly, and without forcing the lung capacity.
Conscious breathing
Conscious breathing gives us the opportunity to expand our range of control over the physical and emotional body. With a set of simple breathing techniques and a predisposition to make our practices in a habitual way we can develop both mentally and aerobically. The process I refer to is self-perception and self-awareness. It is also important to note that controlled breathing can benefit both preventive and curative.
Some conscious breathing techniques:
Yogi Breath: Complete yogi breathing brings together all the benefits of high, medium and low breath. It puts in play the whole respiratory system, each part of the lungs, each air cell and each respiratory muscle. The entire respiratory organism obeys this method of breathing and with the lowest energy consumption the greatest benefit is obtained. The capacity of the chest reaches its normal limits and each part of the mechanism performs its functions and natural work. One of the most important characteristics of this method of breathing is that the respiratory muscles enter into complete play, while in other breathing methods only part of these muscles are used. In complete respiration among other muscles, those working the ribs actively work. And thus increases the space in which the lungs can dilate, and offer convenient point of support to the organs when they need it, In this method the nature of the mechanical principle of the lever is used. Certain muscles keep the lower ribs firmly in place, while others bend it outward.
Rebirthing or Rebirthing Breath: The Rebirthing proposition is to relearn to breathe, fusing inspiration with exhalation in a circle without interruption, so that the breath is connected and feels like an interrupted circle of energy. This type of breathing can be done through the nose, whenever possible, or from the mouth and its target, it is not only the movement of air but above all the movement of energy.
Pranayama or fire breathing: Pranayama is a word derived from the Sanskrit Prana (pra = first unit, na = energy) and Yama: (control and extend, manifestation or expansion). Pranayama is a technique or practice of Yoga that teaches us to control our breathing to heal our body and balance our mind.
This text is focused to emphasize the importance of controlling the breathing and to make the readers aware of their beneficial potentialities.
