The right breathing techniques are a vital part of our existence, and breathing is about more than just getting oxygen to the lungs. This is crucial to
our well-being. The brain functions so much better with an adequate supply of oxygen.
Have you ever had a cold, where your nose is completely blocked and you can only draw breath through your mouth? You may remember you didn't feel terribly bright.
Ideally, when doing exercise each day, preferably in the fresh air or when out walking the dog or doing the shopping we can pay attention to our breathing. However, out in nature is the best option, although some of us do not have that privilege. Keep breathing deeply into your lungs and exhale by drawing in your tummy muscles and exhale, exhale, exhale, until you feel that there is
no more oxygen in your lungs.
This exercise is so helpful to every organ in your body, your skin will improve, your brain function will be enhanced and particularly if you are in an enclosed space most of the day with air-conditioning that blows out air that is often
re-cycled many times over, a good dose of fresh air at the start of the working day is extremely beneficial, indeed vital to your health.
Luckily smoking has been banned in many countries in closed spaces, which means that the non-smoker is no longer forced to inhale someone else’s puff.
In an article on breathing, Dr Mike Thomas, of Asthma UK of “Easy Living” magazine, writes that “Breathing involves the coordination of lots of muscles and about one in ten people have dysfunctional breathing - the main symptom of which is breathlessness.”
He explains that bad breathing is usually caused by using only your upper hest muscles, and drawing breath through your mouth. Good breathing involves lightly inhaling through your nose so the air travels right down to your belly,
and this is known as belly breathing. Simon Andriesz, yoga teacher and co-founder of London’s Alchemy Yoga Centre says “Good breathing improves the circulatory system which eases strain on the heart, strengthens the nervous system and improves digestion and skin.”
Dr Thomas suggests that yoga classes are ideal courses to learn the art of breathing. He suggests that if you suffer from Asthma you should ask your Doctor to refer you to a chest physiotherapist. The Buteyko method was hailed
as a breakthrough some years ago, and this is said to help with a range of problems from asthma and hay fever, to panic attacks and insomnia.
A technique which was given to me by an Indian friend can also be used for good breathing exercises. She suggests that you exhale thoroughly and then inhale. Whilst exhaling again, press one nostril with your finger and literally push the air out of your other nostril in bursts, almost like puffing but through the nose. Repeat this process by pressing the other nostril the next time and so
on for about ten times alternating by pressing each nostril in turn. Though I should add this is not a
breathing exercise I recommend if you have a cold, for obvious reasons.
My friend told me that she had recently recommended this method to a friend. A few weeks later this friend told her that she felt so much better. Her skin had improved and she felt a lot brighter.
Source: Dr Mike Thomas, Asthma UK
Simon Adriesz, London Alchemy Yoga Centre
our well-being. The brain functions so much better with an adequate supply of oxygen.
Have you ever had a cold, where your nose is completely blocked and you can only draw breath through your mouth? You may remember you didn't feel terribly bright.
Ideally, when doing exercise each day, preferably in the fresh air or when out walking the dog or doing the shopping we can pay attention to our breathing. However, out in nature is the best option, although some of us do not have that privilege. Keep breathing deeply into your lungs and exhale by drawing in your tummy muscles and exhale, exhale, exhale, until you feel that there is
no more oxygen in your lungs.
This exercise is so helpful to every organ in your body, your skin will improve, your brain function will be enhanced and particularly if you are in an enclosed space most of the day with air-conditioning that blows out air that is often
re-cycled many times over, a good dose of fresh air at the start of the working day is extremely beneficial, indeed vital to your health.
Luckily smoking has been banned in many countries in closed spaces, which means that the non-smoker is no longer forced to inhale someone else’s puff.
In an article on breathing, Dr Mike Thomas, of Asthma UK of “Easy Living” magazine, writes that “Breathing involves the coordination of lots of muscles and about one in ten people have dysfunctional breathing - the main symptom of which is breathlessness.”
He explains that bad breathing is usually caused by using only your upper hest muscles, and drawing breath through your mouth. Good breathing involves lightly inhaling through your nose so the air travels right down to your belly,
and this is known as belly breathing. Simon Andriesz, yoga teacher and co-founder of London’s Alchemy Yoga Centre says “Good breathing improves the circulatory system which eases strain on the heart, strengthens the nervous system and improves digestion and skin.”
Dr Thomas suggests that yoga classes are ideal courses to learn the art of breathing. He suggests that if you suffer from Asthma you should ask your Doctor to refer you to a chest physiotherapist. The Buteyko method was hailed
as a breakthrough some years ago, and this is said to help with a range of problems from asthma and hay fever, to panic attacks and insomnia.
A technique which was given to me by an Indian friend can also be used for good breathing exercises. She suggests that you exhale thoroughly and then inhale. Whilst exhaling again, press one nostril with your finger and literally push the air out of your other nostril in bursts, almost like puffing but through the nose. Repeat this process by pressing the other nostril the next time and so
on for about ten times alternating by pressing each nostril in turn. Though I should add this is not a
breathing exercise I recommend if you have a cold, for obvious reasons.
My friend told me that she had recently recommended this method to a friend. A few weeks later this friend told her that she felt so much better. Her skin had improved and she felt a lot brighter.
Source: Dr Mike Thomas, Asthma UK
Simon Adriesz, London Alchemy Yoga Centre
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