I am reading a book called the Science Of Breath, by Yogi Ramacharaka. In this book he covers, among other things, the correct ways of breathing and he explains in great detail why they are important and how they can bring unexpected health improvements. Using this book I have created a simply guide so that colds are a thing of the past.
Nostril Vs. Mouth Breathing
You probably were told by your grandma to keep your mouth closed when you were little. Not so you didn't speak of course, but to breathe through your nose, or avoid looking dumb.
But you never were told why exactly.
Nostrils are designed to carry cold, impure oxygen from your surroundings. Tiny hairs inside your nose perform two key activities: filter unwanted particles and warm up the air so they don't harm the rest of the respiratory system. They are also covered by mucus that prevents other paricles form entering the lungs.
Breathing from your mouth robs you from all these benefits leaving your respiratory system vulnerabe to all kinds of particles and bacteria that can cause colds and allegies.
You must know that all parts of the body will atrophy if not used the way they were intended to by nature. So the more you breathe through your nose and avoid mouth breathing the better your nostrils will become at keeping you healthy.
Correct Way Of Breathing
It is commonly accepted that breathing from the upper chest is not a virtuous way of breathing. This type of breathing brings in the least amount of oxygen with the highest amount of effort involved. People who breathe like this most often will bring their chest and shoulders up in the in breath. This is the worst type of breathing.
However people nowadays have gained a better understanding of this and brought more attention to how they breathe. You probably have heard somewhere that abdominal breathing is the best way to go. And sure it is way better than chest or high breathing. But it is not the absolute best.
The Complete Breath
The complete breath is a technique widely known in the oriental teachings. Very little people in the west know about this ancestral way of breathing and are unaware of the astounding benefits it brings. So what is the complete breath?
To understand it fully you must be aware of the three "lesser" forms of breathing.
- High Breath: mentioned above, this is the breathing type in which the upper portion of the lungs are utilized. The collarbone is pushed up when breathing like this.
- Mid Breath: this type of breathing is not very well known. It is implemented by using the muscles that sorround your middle ribs, which are expanded to the sides and forward. This fills the middle portion of the lungs.
- Low Breath: This breathing is implemented with the use of the diaphragm. The belly protrudes when breathing in this way, thus some people calling it "belly breathing," or "abdominal breathing." This type fills the lower portion of the lungs.
Note that none of these actually uses the whole capacity of the lungs. And, remember that if body parts are not used they will atrophy.
Imperfect breathing allows a consierable part of the lungs to remain inactive, and such portions offer an inviting field for bacili, which invading the weakened tissue soon produce havoc. -Yogi Ramacharaka
The whole breath or complete breath adresses this issue by combining the three breathing types in one masterful breath. Initiating in the lower belly, continuing in the mid section of the thorax and ending in the upper portion of the chest. The movement must be followed by a subtle contraction of the abdomen and then the air is released, relaxing the muscles.
The lungs don't have to be filled completely in each breath, however the goal is that the three portions of the lungs are used always. Also, the whole movement must be done in one integrated breath not in intervals and must not be forced, which is achieved with practice.
The complete breath maximizes the use of the whole inner tissue of the lungs. Meaning that no part of the lungs is left unused and therefore every inch is exercised and kept vigorously healthy with each breath.
Practitioners of the complete breath will be imune to Consumption and other pulmonary troubles, as well as succesfully preventing a cold. It is amazing that such health benefits can be acquired just by having the habit of breathing the way Nature wanted us to do it.