Deep Breathing Exercises for the Mind & Body

I usually begin my guided meditations with several deep breathes, I’m sure you’ve heard me in class or on audios, “Breathe in through the nose and gently exhale through the mouth, like you are blowing out a candle. Nice, easy and gentle.”

Deep breathing helps to slow the mind and relax the body. It also supports your overall health. Did you know deep breathing can be done on its own or in mind-body exercises? Some of these exercises include meditation, yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi or QiGong.

Benefits
Deep breathing included with mind and body exercises can help you lose weight, feel great, reduce stress, and stay mindful. The oxygen that you bring in through deep breathing from your abdomen helps to generate new cells, and you are also releasing toxins when you exhale. #Win

Meditation
Meditation is breathing in stillness, without movement, making it an ideal activity for everyone. This less strenuous approach to deep breathing uses breath to help focus the mind towards calm and peace. 

In a world of stress, mediation is a very valuable mind-body practice for balance and sanity. If you are not meditating yet, you can begin today. Click here to see easy, guided meditations Serenity offers or here to the Youtube channel to meditate along with Lady Roxanna.

Yoga
The ancient practice of yoga continues to be popular in the modern world. In our hectic world, it is easy to get lost in stress, anxiety and all its side effects. Yoga and the deep breathing that goes along with it helps you stay present, calms the mind and provides more than a hundred different health benefits for mind, body and spirit.

Yoga helps keep your body strong, your mind focused, and your soul peaceful, as you shift back into balance. An integral part of yoga is structured breathing, which includes a high level of mindfulness in conjunction with taking deep breaths. The breath is an important part of yoga, and not only induces a state of calm in the mind; it also supports the poses that promote physical health.
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Pilates
The deep breathing used in Pilates is similar to yoga, but is more rapid and typically increases the heart rate more so than yoga does.

If you would like a more intense workout, yet still enjoy the mind and body connection in your workout, then you may want to learn more about Pilates.

Tai Chi And QiGong
Tai Chi and QiGong are a variety of martial arts. They both involve slow, meditative movement that is synced with the breath. Imagine a slow dance, where you flow from one move to another, in stillness and balance. 

Like yoga, the breathing patterns and methods in these practices are very specific. When done properly they move you into a state of calm, peace, and balance. I love both Tai Chi and QiGong and could go on and on about the many benefits of each. If they interest you, do look into starting a daily practice.

Deep Breathing 
Deep breathing is used in all of the above practices. It is the process of intentional inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth. This provides oxygen for positive cell regeneration and the elimination of toxins in the body, as it calms and centers the mind. 

Simple deep breathing exercises can be done anywhere, at any time and requires no special equipment or physical effort. I’ve listed  one example of a simple deep breathing exercise below.

Simple Deep Breathing Set

1. Let go of all thoughts
2. Breathe in through your nose
3. Hold that breath for about 3 seconds 
4. Exhale through the mouth, (gently) 
5. Repeat 3-6 times
6. Typically, it is suggested to use a 4:7:8 pattern: 4 seconds to inhale, 7 seconds to hold, and 8 seconds to exhale. Never push or strain. The breathing should be gentle and relaxed. 
   

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Practice Everyday
Deep breathing practiced every day in the form of any of these exercises, or by simply taking the time to repeat the above sequence several times a day, can have a positive effect on your physical health. Another perk of deep breathing is it promotes calmness and emotional wellbeing.

Used with regular Reiki sessions, a healthy diet, and exercise, you can easily move into a state of internal balance and calmness. 

Reiki Blessings,

Sarah

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