Breathing is the most essential and frequent activity that we engage in from birth till death. Yet it is one of the most neglected aspects of our existence because we erroneously presume that it is entirely an involuntary function. The end result is that this giver of life has been ignored, leading to numerous unwanted consequences.
Our lungs have the capacity to take in about four litres of air in each breath. In olden times, we used to take this full quota when we were active throughout the day, first as hunter-gatherers and then as crop growers. The modern lifestyle has turned us into veritable couch potatoes that barely take half a litre of air per breath. That is only one-eighth of the requirement. Our diaphragm barely moves if we are sedentary, with the result that the lower part of our lungs hardly gets any oxygen.
shortfall of oxygen not only causes numerous aches and pains and diseases but also leads to negative emotions like anger, anxiety and stress.
You can also train yourself to take in more oxygen even when at rest. The technique is called yogic or diaphragmatic breathing.
Lie down or sit comfortably. When you start inhaling, fill your belly from the lowest part up so that by the time you have taken the full breath, your tummy is protruding as well as the chest. Hold for a few seconds and then start exhaling while at the same time contracting your belly.
Our lungs have the capacity to take in about four litres of air in each breath. In olden times, we used to take this full quota when we were active throughout the day, first as hunter-gatherers and then as crop growers. The modern lifestyle has turned us into veritable couch potatoes that barely take half a litre of air per breath. That is only one-eighth of the requirement. Our diaphragm barely moves if we are sedentary, with the result that the lower part of our lungs hardly gets any oxygen.
shortfall of oxygen not only causes numerous aches and pains and diseases but also leads to negative emotions like anger, anxiety and stress.
You can also train yourself to take in more oxygen even when at rest. The technique is called yogic or diaphragmatic breathing.
Lie down or sit comfortably. When you start inhaling, fill your belly from the lowest part up so that by the time you have taken the full breath, your tummy is protruding as well as the chest. Hold for a few seconds and then start exhaling while at the same time contracting your belly.
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