Breathing - A Full Wave of Breathe

When was the last time you thought about breathing? Interesting most of don't, and most of us never realize that approximately 18 times per minute, 1,080 times an hour and 25,920 times a day – you take a breathe. Breathe is life, it is the most primal function. It is totally automatic yet it is within our control. Being that, full wave breathing is a force, it is a tool that we have in our possession every minute of the day and it can positively impact our health, our stress level and our emotional state.

Think about it, if there is too much inhaling with not a equal amount of exhaling not only will you feel like exploding you just might have the recipe for an anxiety attack. And in reverse if there is too much exhaling and not enough inhaling you just might burn yourself out.

You can survive around 18 days without food, 3 days without water, but only 3 minutes without breath for that is the time it takes for your brain to be starved of oxygen.

Full wave breathing is all about charging the energy within.

Its all about balance.

Just like riding a wave, you have to balance yourself while you are in the middle of it. You have to receive the energy and then extend it. Feeling more energized and less stressed is the natural result of good deep full wave breathing.

In Hebrew the word Ruach is the force that causes this life force to endure in this world, in the Old Testament it means spirit. In Sanskirt the word Prana , is an invisible force that is the connecting link between the body and the mind. In Greek the word Pneuma is the word for "breathe" and in its religious context "spirit". It is the wind, it is air in motion.

Therefore if you can calm the mind by skillful full wave breathing, you are simultaneously and automatically taming and training the mind. When you are stressed out, just think how relaxing it is to be alone for just a few minutes just to breathe, in and out, deep and quiet.

B Breathing Transforms

R Releases Tension

E Embraces the Present

A Appreciates the Gift

T Time to Be Present

H Hurries Not

E Enjoys Each Moment

When we take a breathe, new air enters the lungs and old air leaves. In the lungs our blood cells get oxygen from the new air and releases carbon dioxide in the old air. You are breathing at your best when the exchange of gasses is occurring to its fullest extent. Slow, steady and deep breathes are the best. It is how infants breathe and how we breathe when we sleep and it involves the diaphragm which is one of our major muscle. The diaphragm sits below the lungs and above the abdomen. Your diaphragm is working if your belly is moving in and out as you inhale and exhale. When it is your shoulders and upper chest moving your breathing tends to be irregular and fast. And that can just add to the stress we feel. Just think about the calm effect that comes over your whole being when you are taking full and steady breathes. In a calm and easy state, one can tackle anything.

1. Find an image for the breathe in your stomach. Your image can be anything like a flower, fire, light anything positive that you will think about every time you do this exercise, so make it something that makes you feel good. This is going to help you visualize your breathe coming way deep in your lungs. And it will help you from taking shallow breaths.
2. Find a comfortable position. If you are stand up or sitting down make sure that your spine is straight. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head straight up, but just loose enough to be able to nod ;)
3. Concentrate on your belly. It helps if you use your belly button as the central point, place one hand on top of the other hand and place it on your belly. Now breathe in slowly and feel your stomach expand; breathe out and push the stomach gently back in.
4. Repeat this a few times every day and in no time you will raise the level of your oxygen intake and before you know it you will be reaping the benefits of increased energy, better health, and a stronger sense of well being.
   

“Breath is the bridge which connects life to consciousness, which unites your body to your thoughts.”
~Thich Nhat Hanh~

Surround Your Home and Office with Plants

All plants provide some benefit to air quality, NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) research has showed that tropical plants (grown as houseplants in cooler climates) are particularly effective at processing gases and chemicals. They found that certain tropical plants used as house/office plants were rather effective in removing formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethane from the air and replacing it with oxygen that was breathable.

1. plants reduce carbon dioxide levels
2. plants keep air temperature down making the air cooler
3. plants boost moisture levels making the air more comfortable
4. plants enhance creativity
5. plants cut down dust levels
6. plants absorb noise and cut down distractions bringing a sense of tranquility
7. plants are attractive and soothing which reduces stress
8. plants have a healing effect
   
9. It’s better to get rid of air pollution naturally with plants than it would be to use chemical air fresheners, etc.
10. plants are pretty and look good. . and you know when you look good your feel good ;)

Great Houseplants

Bamboo
Dracaena
English Ivy
Ferns
Gerbera Daisies
Peace Lily
Philodendrons
Spider Plant

Did You Know

• Nitrogen gas is found in the lungs, since most of the air you breathe consists of this element
  

• Nitrogen (N2) a colorless, tastless and non toxic . It makes up the majority of the air that we breathe and is contained
 in the protein of all life on earth. Oxygen (O2) is the 
next most common component of air . Together N2 and O2 make
up approximately 99% of the air we breathe.
• Nitrogen is traditionally what we fill tires with.

Remember you will be breathing for as long as you are alive. It just makes good sense to do it in the best way to support rather than undermine your health, your emotional well being and most important your spirit. You have the tool, use it, embrace it and you will see your energy surge. So breathe in and come along and ride the wave;)