We take breathing for
granted and as a result we only use about 10% of our total lung capacity. Taking in oxygen helps cleanse the body of
waste products. Toxic substances that
are not eliminated from the body can result in decreasing mental clarity and
vitality. Shallow breathing doesn’t allow oxygen to reach the lower parts of the
lungs. As a result your organs have to
work harder in order to send adequate oxygen to your blood. Shallow breathing can cause sleep disorders,
exhaustion, stomach upset, muscle cramps, dizziness and an increased heart
rate.
The most important advantage
of breathing deeply is that it improves the function of your entire
cardiopulmonary system. You take in
oxygen; it enters your lungs and from there passes through the heart, muscles,
organs, nerves and brain.
Your entire system will
function better if you learn how to breathe deeply. So, yes, you should learn how to exercise
your lungs as well as the rest of your body.
You exercise your lungs by breathing deeply. Breathing deeply is not difficult. Even babies do it. Babies breathe so deeply that you can see
their tummies rise and fall. You need to
duplicate the way a baby breathes.
Most adults, according to
Linda Altoonian in her book “Living Agelessly,” need to practice deep breathing,
as most of them stopped breathing properly years ago. We
don’t normally think of deep breathing as an exercise, but it is and it is an
effective one. Your body burns fat when
you are relaxed, which is why exercise programs such as oxycise and yoga
incorporate deep breathing into all of its movements.
Deep breathing is an effective adjunct to any exercise program, and if you think about it you will remember that trainers and instructors are always reminding you to breathe as you work through the forms. They aren’t just saying that to hear themselves talk. Oxygen is a vital nutrient for your body and the benefits from inhaling as much and as deeply as you can are unbelievable.
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