Breathing is the most important activity that keeps the body alive and healthy. It is important for two reasons:

• It is the only means to supply the body and its organs with oxygen, which is vital for our survival.
• It helps to get rid of waste products and toxins from the body.

Importance of Oxygen

Oxygen is the most important gas and part of all the most important nutrients that are needed by the body. It helps to keep the brain, nerves, glands and internal organs in a healthy state. The body can survive without food and water for a few days, but if deprived of oxygen, it will die within a few minutes. Without oxygen, all the organs in body will slowly degrade.

Benefits of breathing

• Breathing the right way will help increase the oxygen supply in the body.
• Balance the natural rhythm of the body.
• Increases your self-confidence, optimism and calms your mind.
• Increases concentration and helps to get over mental stress.

To get the maximum out of breathing exercises, people should practice breathing techniques. It’s the best to practice breathing early in the morning, on an empty stomach.

Benefits of breathing exercises-

• It a natural and safe way of detoxifying your body.
• Helps to fight respiratory diseases better. People who have practiced breathing technique overtime claim that they got substantial relief from asthma and frequently occurring common cold.
• Studies have shown that practicing breathing technique over time helps to boost the immunity.
• It helps to keep the mind healthy and alert and also improves concentration.
• Keeps the person fresh, increases endurance and stamina.
• Helps to maintain over all health.

The following exercises help in deep breathing and purify the lungs along with increasing energy and decreasing tension.

Belly breathing

1. Lie flat on the back, with chin facing upwards
2. Place your hands at the base of your rib cage, with the palms facing downwards, middle fingers barely touching each other and breathe in slowly. Hold of a few seconds and then breathe out slowly. Continue with this for a few minutes.

This exercise is also called the “baby way of breathing”. Young born babies do not have fully matured chests and hence ‘belly breathe’. Breathing through the belly ensure maximum intake of oxygen and helps to purify the lungs.

Complete breathing

1. Sit straight and exhale, in the process of emptying the lung
2. While inhaling, relax the belly muscles, as if the belly is filling itself with air.
3. Continue breathing, till the air fills up in the lung.
4. Hold the breath for a few seconds and then gently breathe out while pulling your belly in.
5. During the whole process, close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing.
6. Relax your mind

Continue with this exercise for five minutes.

Humming breathing exercises-

• Breathe in slowing, while humming.
• Continue humming as long as you can breathe
• Pull the stomach wall in while humming
• Breathe out and relax

Continue doing this for 2 to 3 minutes.

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