Breathe Right For Better Health

We are alive if we are breathing, the inhale and exhale is a way to tell that we are living. The breathing process if done in the right way and with mindfulness can keep us away from many physical and psychological health problems. Worldwide people are adopting different but right breathing exercise techniques for better health.

Deep breathing is considered one of the main components of meditation. Even Yoga considers that right and slow breathing is vital for overall health. There are a lot of studies done on the techniques of breathing and the results of these studies comply that meditation and right breathing can reduce worry, stress, depression, improves memory and concentration, and helps in better sleep. Across the world many nations have adopted their unique ways of breathing from diaphragm breathing to mindfulness, there are practitioners for each and every breathing style. ETV Bharat Sukhibhava was in conversation with Breathing expert and Director of Javik Wellness Ms. Nandita and Yoga expert Meenu Verma. Based on the inputs of our experts we bring to different breathing techniques based on different religious, spiritual, and yoga practices.

Kundalini (Diaphragm Breathe)

Kundalini

Kundalini yoga or meditation has a special mention in Yoga. In this breathing practice with the help of breathing techniques, breathe is controlled to activate the kundalini energy or shakti. In Hindu culture, ‘Kundalini’ is represented as ‘Coiled Snake’. As per ancient beliefs and Yoga, the backbone of a person carries the energy in the body. Through Kundalini yoga, one can activate, regularize and control the energy chakras. In this breathing style, one is directed to breathe through the diaphragm, which allows the energy to move up and through the chakras along the spine. The point to be noted here is that the diaphragm is located below the lungs, and is the major muscle of respiration. If practiced under the right guidance and expert Kundalini yoga can help in the management of old breathing problems like asthma, and also is helpful in people who suffer from lung diseases.

Nadi Shodhan Pranayam

Nadi Shodhan Pranayam

Yoga expert Meenu Verma told us that Prananayam is an important aspect of Yoga. Nadi is considered an energy channel, and these energy channels are blocked due to various reasons, with Nadi Shodhan pranayama a person can practice controlled breathing.

A research study published in December 2017, in Medical Science Monitor Research basic, it was found that regular practice of breathing techniques helps in reducing high blood pressure and increases the attentiveness of a person.

Shamatha Shamta

Shamatha Shamta

This breathing technique is practiced in Baudh Dharma, but now it's widespread among yoga practitioners. Shamatha is nothing but ‘Practicing Mindfulness’. This breathing technique of mindfulness concentrates on the development of peace and clarity of mind. Under the right guidance and expert, one can attain inner peacefulness through this breathing technique. When clubbed with Vipassana practice mindfulness can yield very good results for the practitioners.

Journal of Cognitive Enhancement in March 2018, published a study on practices of mindfulness and how it helps in enhancing concentration, awareness, and memory gain. Mindfulness and Wellness expert Ms. Nandita told us that during the Shamatha breathing technique people are made to practice, vipassana, Nichiren, loving-kindness meditation, and mindful breathing along with other breathing practices.

Taoist Meditation

In one of the Taoist mediation practices, the practitioner has to practice aligning himself or herself with nature, to calm down mind and body. This meditation practice is based upon Chinese philosophy and Tao religious beliefs, in which a person has to concentrate on mindfulness, concentration, and contemplation. Wellness expert Nandita told us that Taoist Mediation is a chain of mediation where one is made to practice control over thoughts and mind.