Breathe – the right way.
“All chronic pain, suffering, and diseases are caused by a lack of oxygen at the cell level.”
-Dr. Arthur C. Guyton.
What is Abdominal Breathing?
Breathing is a natural process that usually occurs without conscious effort. Diaphragmatic breathing is a deep breathing form that fully engages the diaphragm and increases the efficiency of the lungs.
Also called belly breathing and diaphragmatic breathing. Our lifestyle has moved us from abdominal to a kind of breathing that is relatively shallow and does not use the full capacity of the lungs.
Abdominal Breathing in Child
- Babies are the best examples to observe abdominal/ diaphragmatic breathing.
- We Are Born With This way of breathing.
- No one teaches us how to breathe.
- This is why they are sometimes called born yogis.
Diaphragmatic Breathing vs Chest Breathing
During diaphragmatic breathing, a person consciously engages their diaphragm in order to take deeper breaths. A person will notice their stomach rising and falling. They will also feel an expanding or stretching sensation in the stomach, rather than solely in their chest and shoulders.
Chest Breathing
Chest Breathing is called Shallow Breathing because the inhalation doesn’t happen as per the full capacity of the lungs! During such times the diaphragm and lungs get squeezed preventing the lungs from fully expanding and receiving the amount of oxygen necessary to purify thoroughly the devitalized blood that flows to them for this purpose.
Chest Breathing is experienced in situations like below:
- Under stress
- Emergency conditions
- Shock or unwanted situation
- Tension
- Anger or Irritated
What Happens During This Process
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle, which separates our chest and abdomen.
Abdominal Breathing Technique
When we Inhale
During inhalation, our diaphragm contracts so that your lungs can expand in the lower lobes in the extra space and let in as much air (oxygen) as is necessary.
Diaphragm – Contraction
The diaphragm and abdominal muscles pull down on the abdominal cavity to fully inflate the lungs. This movement causes the belly to rise a bit.
Diaphragm – Contraction
As the diaphragm contracts, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, creating a negative pressure there, which draws air into the lungs
Diaphragm – Relaxation
When it relaxes, it enlarges, causing a decrease in lung size thus forcing air out (exhaling).
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Abdominal Breathing Benefits
- Deeper Relaxation
- It is the basis for almost all meditations
- Lower Stress Levels
- Reduce Blood Pressure
- Oxygenate your cells
- Enhance clarity of mind
- Regulate other critical Body processes
With healthy lungs, your diaphragm does most of the work when you inhale to bring fresh air in and exhale to get carbon dioxide out of your lungs.
“Deep breathing brings deep thinking and shallow breathing brings shallow thinking.”
-Elsie Lincoln Benedict.