Breathe into Life – Part 3 Dynamics of Breath

Although our Breathing is an involuntary, automatic and self-regulating function of our nervous system; we do have the ability to consciously alter our breath. It takes no conscious effort on our part for our breathing to keep us alive. Yet if we choose we can stop our Breath for a short time, speed it up or slow it down. This is not possible with our other involuntary functions like digestion and circulation. Our individual Breathing mechanism is VERY unique and powerful.

Parts of the body involved in taking a Breath include the Nose, Lungs, Pharynx, Trachea, Diaphragm, Bronchi and Ribcage. While the muscles of the chest control our Breathing Movements, it is the Nose that regulates the temperature and filters the air before it gets into the lungs. We move approximately 8,640 litres of air in and out of our lungs everyday (41/2 times more than we eat or drink). The air contains oxygen which is delivered to the cells, where it is consumed and generates power. Each time we inhale and exhale we take in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000, (10 to the power of 22) atoms.

Be still & observe

Lets take a moment to simply RELAX – Be Still – and observe our Breath. Close your eyes and as you RELAX – just begin to notice

Breathe into Life – Part 1 Breath Awareness

 

For most of us our breathing is unconscious. We take approximately 23,000 breaths per day, yet rarely notice one of them when absorbed in the day to day dilemmas and delights; and the busy-ness of work and play. Many of us are breathing in various levels of toxins in any twenty four hour period.  City living, job/work environment and habits like smoking cigarettes, cigars or various other drugs/substances (including alcohol), as well as modern food all affect our breathing.

Sit cross-legged on the floor

When we do begin to choose a deeper relationship with our breath it can feel strange at first. Almost like you’ve been ‘caught out’ doing something you shouldn’t. The reaction can be like a fight or flight response where breath becomes restricted and fear emerges. For some this ‘uncomfortable’ feeling stops them in their travels, and they figure – “That was too hard, I’ll go back to unconscious breathing thanx – I don’t need the hassle/drama!”