Breathingdo Part II

Breathingdo Part II

Breathingdo means the way of breathing, or the way to breathe correctly (see Breathingdo Part I at www.theartofwarogers.info). If your chest moves when taking a deep breath you are breathing incorrectly; a bad habit developed over time due to social programing. Incorrect breathing is a major factor in most illnesses. Stress is the cause of most illnesses and incorrect breathing is the fuel that feeds stress.  Correct breathing or Breathingdo can reduce stress by bringing balance to the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The ANS operates through two divisions, the sympathetic (fear, excitement, and worry) and the parasympathetic (relaxation, not frightened). When our thoughts communicate fear, the ANS sends chemical stimulants to every organ in our body making it ready to run or fight.The heart rate is increased, more blood and oxygen is sent to the brain and our sense organs. Stored sugars for energy are released by the liver. Our veins and arteries constrict, which creates a rise in blood pressure. Our skeletal muscles constrict and our breath becomes shallow and fast.

The scientific term for the combat mode produced by the ANS when we are frightened is called “fight or flight”. The parasympathetic side of the ANS will produce depressant body chemicals to reduce tension when the thought of fear is over. When we become extremely excited we usually then become severely depressed after this chronic imbalance in the ANS is what we call “stress”

When we worry and become fearful of the unknown we become stressed, the ANS has no idea that many of our fears are illusory. All too often our body is in the “fight or flight” mode for long periods of time for no real reason; a foundation for many illnesses. Abdominal breathing is a natural way to balance the ANS it is how we learned to breathe while in our womb during the early stages of our development; which is why abdominal breathing is also known as baby breathing.

At the Ki center we help individuals to relearn how to breathe correctly. It can be confusing at first but it is very simple to learn. When we inhale the chest does not move air goes directly to the stomach making it expand. The stomach contracts when we exhale, forcing all of the inhaled air out of the body. This type of slow deep breathing exercise can be used to address a number of stress related illnesses.

Abdominal breathing is also the first step in learning to meditate correctly, it is also useful in stressful situations it will allow you to maintain control. If you would like additional information on “Breathingdo” call to schedule an appointment at the Ki Center at 646 329-6727 or send an email to yourway2wellness2014@gmail.com