How could we meditate, visualise, travel in the astral spheres without breathing properly?
Breathing is not only attached to physical spontaneity, it is also a fundamental technique for relaxation and meditation. No fighting technique would be effective without the controlled breathing, as no emotional control would be possible in situations of stress. We see four major parties on the subject of breathing:
* The mechanics of breathing,
* Conscious Breathing
* The energetic dimension of respiration,
* Taoist breathing ( accumulation of the breathing described above).
Above all it is important to remember that breathing is a fundamental process required for life. The movements of inhalation and exhalation are not only a way to produce energy and to allow gas exchange, but also a way to get in touch with the profound.
We begin by the respiratory system mechanicalyl and anatomically. It consists of upper and lower airways. The system provides respiratory gas exchange in the body and helps regulate the acidic / base balance of the body. If a change occurs in the respiratory system, it will have repercussions throughout the body affecting the other systems.
The upper airway consists of the nose, mouth and larynx (speaking only). These structures are involved in warming and humidifying the air we inhale, but also taste, smell, chewing and swallowing the food.
The lower airway consists of the trachea, bronchi and lungs. This is where we find membranes that are responsible for gas exchange. The lungs are free in their movement, except at the median level in which they are attached by lung ligaments.
The inhalation and exhalation take place as follows: during inhalation, the diaphragm, intercostal muscles and external muscles constrict, thus increasing the volume of the thorax vertically and horizontally. While the thorax is remote, the pressure inside the chest decreases and the lungs swell to fill the chest that increases in volume in turn. During exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and the chest slowly returns passively to its volume and its position. During a forced exhalation, contraction of the intercostal muscles, internal abdominal and it reduces the volume of the rib cage. The compression of the thorax and lungs makes intra pulmonary pressure above atmospheric pressure. Most of us has two to four cycles of inhalations / exhalations per minute in the waking state, and six to eight per minute during sleep. One notes that it is possible to vary our breathing dramatically. In the event of stress or physical effort, we can achieve a rate of 100 cycles inhalations / exhalations per minute. For those who do serious work on respiration, the rate can drop to 4 or 6 per minute, knowing that gas exchange are always more accurate and deeper. We have a total lung capacity of 5000 ml. Most of the time, the average breath is only 500 ml. Even if we really used our lungs still hold a reserve of safety of 1000 ml of air. It is interesting that in our daily lives we have very rarely attention on our breathing process. However, in times of stress, the first thing we feel is the difficulty in breathing.
The process of respiration and its fundamental role in our survival, nature, in its wisdom, gave us only a partial and limited control of our breathing. The respiratory system is connected to most of the sensory nerves of the body. Therefore, any sudden or chronic stimulation from the senses can have a direct impact on the magnitude, speed or intensity of our breathing. Thus a shock, the perception of something very beautiful, intense thoughts are why we 'stop breathing. "
Of all the respiratory muscles, the more important to our overall health is the diaphragm. It is rare to meet people who use this muscle effectively. Yet it is the focus of the breath. Normally when we inhale, the diaphragm contracts. This movement of a diaphragm pumps in good health. Compared to normal, an increase, however slight, in movement of the diaphragm downwards not only has an influence on our internal organs, but it increases the volume of air in our lungs.
Upon exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes back with its elasticity that helps to expel the air from the lungs. If we exhale completely, strongly supporting the diaphragm against the heart and lungs, providing a massage the of internal organs.
Unfortunately there are few people who can enjoy this natural movement. Indeed, muscle tension (tendon or ligament) of the rib cage disrupts the motion of the diaphragm. Negative emotions, fears and stress reduce the possibility of movement of the diaphragm. This leads us to conclude that in most cases, poor muscle does not move easily. In addition, health and mobility of the spine and pelvis are directly related to the mobility of the diaphragm.
This means that a bad position, bad habits, weak back muscles, are all reasons why the breathing is not in good condition. To try to compensate for our tensions and disfunctions of our diaphragm, we tend to breathe more and more often than what is good for health. In this hyper ventilation will result from feelings of oppression and tension that will themselves make the movement of the diaphragm more difficult. This is a vicious circle which is not easy to leave.
The more the breathing is rapid, the more it is done by movement of the upper chest. The more we breathe through the upper chest the more the feelings and emotions will be at the surface. Again, this does not lead us to serene breathing.
As can be seen here, before returning energy in a very complex magic visualisation, the very fact of looking at the mechanics of breathing means we can already breathe better. Being closer to the conscious movement of inhalation and exhalation already calm our emotions. Only in those circumstances is when we can take the next step which is the sensation.
The first thing to do is sit down and breathe thinking about inhalation and exhalation.
