Most people breathe too shallow and too quickly!
Western medicine has acknowledged in recent years, that stress has an effect on the internal organs and consequently the immune system.
When humans are confronted with trauma or extreme stress, the body adjusts with rapid, shallow breathing that changes to the blood chemistry to deal with the tasks at hand. When the “flight or flight response” or the parasympathetic nervous system activates, adrenaline and cortisol dump into the blood stream. Prolonged adrenaline & cortisol in the blood is thought to cause deterioration of the internal organs and systems of the human body.
Much recent research has linked stress to poor breathing habits and consequently many ailments. Many modern chronic conditions can be traced back to insufficient cell oxygenation otherwise known as cell hypoxia.
Most humans are breathing on the average, with normal activity of standing, sitting, walking, etc. about 12-18 breaths per minute (BPM). This amounts to very shallow breaths, using primary the top 1/3 of the lung’s capacity.
Fitness experts suggest that 6 BPM is optimal for the lungs to properly oxygenate the whole body while also removing toxins. The lungs are responsible for removing 70% of the body’s waste by-products through exhalation. This is best accomplished by mindful breathing patterns through exercises such as mediation, qigong, tai chi and yoga.
Shallow chest breathing fills only the upper portion of the lungs. This reduces the ability to effectively oxygenate the circulation system.
This “over-breathing” and “under-inhaling” causes an imbalance in oxygen/carbon dioxide gas exchange. This further leads to a ripple effect of other chemical (and hormonal) imbalances.
Poor oxygenation is linked to many modern chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, obesity, diabetes, insomnia and cancer.
Faster breathing is necessary when experiencing truly stressful situations, like being chased by an animal, running from a fire or similar life-threatening situations. However, continued breathing at this pace for an extended period of time puts accumulative stress on all of the body’s systems.
Too much activity within the sympathetic nervous system causes the body to constantly respond as if in the “fight” or flight” mentally eventually deteriorating many body systems.
When respiration slows to 10 breaths per minute or slower, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, yoga, etc. are all effective methods of exercise that activate this nervous system. These techniques have proven the test of time in being an option to remove or manage the inner critical dialogue and learn to regulate the fast-paced modern existence we all experiencing.
Breathing is one of the few bodily rhythms that we can consciously adjust, along with sleep and elimination. All of these rhythms directly affect our body’s delicate blood chemistry. However, our breath is the root power in bringing oxygen (qi) into our body to nourish it down to the cellular level.
Deep breathing encourages pumping of cerebrospinal fluid (fluid around the spinal cord). This increases brain metabolism while promoting feelings of physical and mental well-being, as well as enhanced mental alertness.
When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, “happy” hormones are released, decreasing heart rate and blood pressure. This relaxes the nervous system, slows and calms all the body systems. This process then promotes regeneration through decreasing metabolic rate at all levels.
Qigong balances breathing and promotes conditions in your body for it to be able to regenerate and heal itself. Qigong does not treat symptoms, but rather solves the problem at its root.
Meditation, tai chi, qigong and yoga are time-proven methods that help regulate thoughts, emotions and the resulting blood chemistry.
For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at info@mindandbodyexercises.com, 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com
Jim Moltzan started his martial arts training at the age of 16, starting with Korean martial arts and evolving into BaguaZhang, Tai Chi, and Qigong. Jim has been training, studying and teaching for almost 40 years effectively educating hundreds of students.
Master Instructor Jim Moltzan has trained with a diverse group of masters and high-level martial arts teachers of many different disciplines. Jim’s specialty is teaching exercises to improve chronic conditions, working with people of all ages, especially senior adults. Offering guidance and instruction, Jim has also worked with Parkinson Disease patients through Florida Hospital. Jim gives regular lectures as requested by AdventHealth (Florida Hospital) regarding the benefits of Eastern practices.
He is the author and graphic artist of numerous journals, graphic charts and study guides relative to the mind and body connection and how it relates to martial arts, fitness and self-improvement.
Jim continues his training and teaching in the Orlando, Florida area conducting classes, seminars and lectures as his schedule allows. He balances his teachings and businesses with his own personal cultivation and time spent with his wife and two teenage kids.
United Martial Arts Association 