• We breathe in not only air but energy or life force. (inspire = in ‘spirit)
• We breathe out (expire) air and toxins from the body
• 70% of the bodies toxins are eliminated by breath
• Normal breath is automatic (we are not thinking about it)
• Automatic breath allows us to ‘survive’ not ‘live’
• Conscious breathing brings in more air and energy and releases more toxins, cleansing the body
• When we are upset we hold our breath and hold down the emotion instead of releasing it
• By not being released they lead to stress or ill health
• The main challenge to health and happiness is the stress caused by unacknowledged and unexpressed feelings, which we have suppressed to varying degrees at different times.
• Fear and joy have the same adrenalin rush and our bodies do not recognise the difference
• If we shut down to fear we also shut down to joy and love.

Poor breathing not only makes our neck and shoulders tense but studies have shown a correlation between upper chest breathing and heart disease. Our diaphragm and heart are connected and every time we breathe using our diaphragm our heart is massaged. When we restrict the downward movement of the diaphragm this affects our heart function. We cannot underestimate the possible consequences of poor breathing on all other body systems. (1)

Treating the symptoms of poor breathing (i.e. the health problems) instead of reconnecting with our natural breath is like putting a bandaid on a broken arm!

By learning to become aware (conscious) of our breath, we can learn to awaken our natural breath have unconsciously altered throughout life’s journey. Notice when you are hurt what you do? Stop breathing, tense up and hold down the emotion? When you are upset, angry or stressed?

Just take a few minutes to sit and observe your breath. Is it shallow? Is it hard to breathe? Are you out of breath? Where is the breath? Is it just in your chest? Do you not even notice your breath? Do you feel chronically tired, anxious and unable to sit still?

In breathing we have primary and secondary muscles.
The primary muscles (diaphragm) do the bulk of the work as they are large and strong. They should be responsible for 80% of the effort.
The secondary muscles are higher up in the chest (intercostal muscles) and aid in the adaptability of our breathing. They are smaller and tire quickly and should help out about 20%.

When you breathe primarily with the diaphragm you are more stable and grounded (more in touch with your gut feeling). When you use your secondary muscles instead of the diaphragm you are operating more in the upper body (your head is in the clouds). Whenever you feel confused about how you are feeling, breathe low and slow into your lower body to ground yourself.

(1) ‘Breathing patterns found in heart attack victims’ A Hymes & P Neurnberger research paper where 153 heart attack victims were found to breathe thorasically.

Bibliography
‘The Anatomy of Breathing’ Donna Farhi