This write up is dedicated to Dr Andrew Wells; after reading
his book “Art of Breathing”, I realised the most inexpensive, easiest and least
time consuming way to get the glow on face and vigour in body is breathing in
the right way. Dr Andrew explains the science, advantages and experiences with his
patients in this book. And guess what? None of the diseases, whether mental or
physical, is beyond the benefits of breathing technique. He admits that “Yoga”
from ancient India is the roots of this “Pranayam”; and the scientists are yet
to study it.
I am not going to details how it works, but yes this little
change in your habit might give you immense peace and health beside radiant
skin. So, lets get started:
- Sit upright: Choose a silent place, sit on comfortable couch or floor, take the posture you are comfortable with but keep your spine straight and close your eyes.
- Get Conscious of your breath: Begin with paying attention to how you breathe i.e. feel the air moving through your nostrils. It is important to first understand the pattern of breathing before changing it.
- Exhale first: Unlike we do normally; try to exhale first through your nostril until your stomach is sucked inside.
- Inhale into abdomen: Then inhale back to fill up your chest and stomach, so that your belly moves out with each inhalation.
- Breathe deeply, quietly and slowly: Have you ever noticed that your breath becomes fast and shallower when you are tensed or afraid? Repeat the above process slowly, take deep breaths but without making noise as if you are breathing peace into your body.
When can I do this?
Ideally you should practice this breathing technique; first
thing after getting up in morning and just before sleeping; even 5 minute each
would suffice. Once you get use to such kind of breathing, it can be practiced
at any moment especially when you are under stress. Most important is
regularity, keep atleast 5 minutes for it twice a day on fixed times.
Does other breathing
exercise help too?
Yes! They do. You can
begin with this technique and add another breathing exercises in the morning.
YouTube is treasure chest of such videos and demonstrations on “pranayama”; so
let us begin now and breathe life into each cell of our body.