LONG DEEP BREATHING
This seemingly simple exercise has a huge impact on our physical, mental, and spiritual bodies.
What It Does:
Physically, long deep breathing relaxes and calms the body by influencing the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body that helps us feel calmer. This is mainly because it stimulates the vagus nerve, a major component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which we can activate through slow, deep breathing. This way of breathing can also reduce and prevent the build-up of toxins in the lungs by encouraging the small air sacs (known as alveoli) to clear.
There is a lot of evidence to back up that many breathing practices can support us in combating addictions, as well as supporting our capacity to manage stress or highly charged emotions. On a mental level, long deep breathing triggers the release of endorphins that help fight low mood and depression.
The relaxing effect helps break subconscious habit patterns and counter anxieties, insecurities, and fears. In turn, it enables us to get in touch with a stronger sense of clarity, cool-headedness, and patience. Breathing in this way also helps your body to regulate pH levels.
Did you know that there is much research coming out on mental health and how it's linked to pH imbalances within the body? Therefore, long deep breathing can allow us to handle stressful situations with more grace, and supports us regain power.
The spiritual effects of long deep breathing are super important to me, just as much as the physical and mental benefits; when we become more aware of the way in which we breathe, we increase the flow of life force within and around us, and stimulate the pituitary gland to secrete. In yogic terms, this enhances intuition and a sense of belonging within the natural world around us.
Can you take just 10 minutes for yourself today?
Instructions:
Sit comfortably with a straight spine in easy pose or on a chair. Imagine a smooth three-part wave.
Inhale: First, the belly expands. Next, the ribs widen. Finally, the upper chest lifts.
Exhale in reverse: upper, middle, lower.
Practice each part alone, then blend them into one seamless cycle. Keep the spine tall and breathe through the nose.
You can practice with one hand on the navel and one on the chest to feel the movement of the diaphragm. Inhale belly, ribs, chest. Exhale chest, ribs, belly.
Practice for 3-7 minutes. Then sit in silence for one minute and notice what you find, no striving or forcing - welcome yourself just as you are.
Big love, Kim x
