Discover The Long Lost Ancient Secret to Leading a Less Stressful Life.

When was the last time you took a nice deep breath?
(Hint: now would be a good time!)

To be able to breathe is a wonderful thing, yes?

The beauty of it is, that we don't even have to think about doing it!

Breathing serves many functions, including:

• supplying our cells with oxygen
• removing carbon dioxide from our bodies
• improving lymphatic flow within our bodies, which helps us to fight infections
• reducing anxiety 
• assisting in stress or anger management as well as 
• promoting relaxation. 

Our breathing is regulated by our brain stem - the most primal part of the brain - which is also responsible for other vital life functions, such as heat rate, blood pressure and consciousness.

Unlike these other functions however, we are lucky enough to be able to control our breathing on a conscious level. Unfortunately, most people don't take advantage of this 100% free life booster on a consistent basis.

For many centuries, the people of ancient China and India have used the simple art of breathing to help prevent and heal themselves from illness and disease, attain deep states of relaxation and increase their vitality.

So how does this differ from what we're doing today? Breathing's breathing right?

Well, not really.

In today's society, the majority of people often take many shallow breaths, filling only the top third of their chest and lungs only.

This limits the amount of oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange within the lungs and can lead to a decrease in proper organ function, resulting in reduced vitality as well as impairment of the immune system, which increases our chances of disease.

Shallow breathing also occurs when people are anxious, angry or in a constant hurry. And with the apparent increase in our sedentary lifestyles, our bodies have adapted to not needing to breathe deeply, thus we develop the habit of shallow breathing.

What can we do about it?

By studying the ancient arts of Qigong (China) or Pranayama (India), we can start to incorporate and learn more about the benefits of proper breathing and breath control.

However, for those who would like a short exercise to start you on your way to leading a less stressful life, have a go at this very simple, yet effective technique for deep (abdominal) breathing:

1. Find a quiet place with plenty of natural air or air flow and sit up straight or lie down comfortably
2. Slowly inhale through your nose, so that you allow the air to fill your abdomen first, followed by the middle of your chest and then the top of your lungs
3. As you exhale through your mouth, just let it flow naturally, from the top of your lungs, followed by the middle chest and then make sure that you finish by gently contracting your abdomen
4. Repeat without straining to breathe for at least 5 minutes. 

For maximum benefit, practise this twice a day, in the morning and in the early evening and preferably not after having a large meal!

If you're not sure if you're doing it correctly, you can place a book on your stomach when lying down and see if it rises as you first breathe in.

Go on, have a go.

Just by mastering this simple ancient secret, you'll be pleasantly surprised and amazed as you start to become more aware of your breath just how much it can impact your mental, physical and emotional responses to life's stresses.


Yours in health until next time.