Oxygen: The Breath of Life
Breathing is often an underappreciated component of health and fitness.  It literally provides the spark of life to every cell in the body.  When breathing is too shallow, it starves the cells of energy.  This type of inadequate breathing subverts the functions of the major organs, hammers energy, slows down the thinking processes, and even wrinkles the skin.  It keeps toxins stuck exactly where they are.
Therefore, one of the most important things you can do is to become aware of your breathing.

Exercises for Cleansing Your Body with Your Breath
- Focus on breathing from your belly, instead of just the top of your chest.
- Stop yourself from inhaling quick, tense little gulps of air that don’t “feed the fire” of your energy.
- Consciously use your breath to control your stress.  Do it practically every time you start to stress-out.
Best of all, start using some yoga breathing techniques.  Yoga revolves around breathing.  Start with the simplest steps:
1. Observe your breath.  Breathe in and out evenly, through your nose.  In yoga, this is called “puraka” breathing.
2. Notice where your breath is.  Determine if it comes too often from your chest, instead of your belly.
3. Feel your breath physically, by placing your hand on your belly.
4. Visualize your breath.  Mentally observe it as it fills your core and feeds your body.

Here are two more breath exercises for you to do.
KUMBHAKA BREATHING
Relax your chest and belly, and take a good, deep breath, as you count slowly to four.  Hold it for a moment.  Then exhale slowly, until your lungs feel totally empty.  Hold the exhale for a moment.  Then take another deep breath, and hold it.  Stick out your tongue, close your eyes and let your breath out forcefully, as you make a powerful sound, such as “Agghhhh!”  Feel the tension leave your body.
Repeat the process at least one more time.

UJJAYI BREATHING
This yoga breathing technique, pronounced ooh-jah-yee, is also called The Breath of Fire.  When you focus your mind as you do it, it brings you to a deeper sense of your selfhood.  It’s also a great way to warm your body, bring blood to your internal organs, and expel toxins through the breath.
To do it, simply breathe in and out through your nose, focusing on pushing and pulling the air with the back of your throat.  As you do this, you will create a resonant sound, almost like snoring, as your breath rolls up and down your throat.
If you do some ujjayi breathing early in the morning, it’s a great time to set your intentions for the day.  What do you want to happen?  Create your vision of the day ahead.  Make it happen.

You should start your new emphasis on cleansing your body, mind, and spirit through breath.

Full entry | posted by Gregory Joujon-Roche in Cleanse , Proper Breathing
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