July 08, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-us-Sani 22, 1428

NEW DELHI: Breathing controls the body’s bioelectric balance just as diet controls its biochemical balance. Deep abdominal breathing not only calms and brings emotions under conscious control, but also greatly heightens awareness, thought, and memory. The linkage that occurs between the upper and lower parts of the body as a result of deep breathing ensures the smooth transfer of energy from the legs to the upper body, an essential requirement in yoga or t’ai chi.

‘Cleansing breath’ detoxifies the body and emphasises exhalation. ‘Energising breath’ collects and stores vital energy and focuses more on inhalation. Whenever toxins in our bloodstream reach a critical level, we instinctively sigh, a quick inhalation followed by a long, forceful exhalation. By contrast, when we feel lacking in energy, we involuntarily yawn — a long, slow, deep inhalation followed by brief breath retention and a relatively short exhalation.

With increasing awareness of the benefits of breathing exercises, more people are making them an integral part of life. But, many don’t understand the role played by the diaphragm — a resilient yet flexible muscular membrane which separates the chest from the abdominal cavity. When lungs expand, they push the diaphragm downward; when lungs contract, they pull it up into the chest cavity.

Some breathing exercises specifically promote assimilation and circulation of oxygen and chi. Others facilitate rapid expulsion of toxins from the bloodstream and lungs, some sedate or stimulate the system. Before practising different breathing exercises, familiarise yourself with the four fundamental postures: standing, sitting, lying and walking. Taoist masters suggested ‘Stand like a pine, sit like a bell, lie like a bow, and walk like the wind’.

Walking can be most healing and therapeutic when it is performed with deep breathing. Breathing correctly while walking trains the mind to stay concentrated on what you are doing with a high degree of focussed relaxation. —Dawn/The Times of India News Service