Body
recover. In chronic examples, this body state
leads invariably to poor health.
Fortunately, with relevant knowledge, our
brains can choose to reverse this autonomous
command chain through the application of
specific breathing patterns and break free
from damaging habitual behaviour patterns.
Our brains learn to recognise the symptoms of
dysfunctional breathing and how to override
our body's autonomous control through
conscious intervention in our respiratory
process. The brain's selection of a relevant
corrective breathing rhythm will take us to a
clearer mind mood and a healthy relaxed body
state.
What then is the physiological process of
breathing? Our bodies are capable of many
amazing functions and this is definitely one of
them.
The muscles carrying out physical body actions
are powered by energy provided from burning
oxygen at cellular level. This life-giving energy
transfer, from the atmosphere surrounding
us into the cells of our muscles, is the result
of amazing teamwork between the heart, the
lungs and the brain, using the body's arterial
and venal networks.
Human breathing
patterns are selected
autonomously
Our beloved hearts are strong muscular
pumps in communication with our brains.
They circulate blood between the lungs and
the body's organs. The lungs are composed of
a soft tissue assembly of microscopic hollow
spongy orbs, called alveoli, where circulating
blood can come into direct contact with oxygen
molecules brought there by the inhalation of
breath.
Oxygen is present in the atmospheric mixture
of the ‘air’ that is inhaled into the lungs
during breathing. In the alveoli, the oxygen is
absorbed into the haemoglobin cells of the
blood and then carried along the vessels of
the arterial network, by the pumping heart, to
supply the brain, the organs, the muscles and
the soft body tissues.
At cellular level, the chemical transformation
of the oxygen molecule produces the required
energy for the organs and muscles and also
creates a bi product called carbon dioxide. This
molecule is then itself absorbed back into the
haemoglobin blood cells and returned to the
lungs along the venal network by the pumping
of the heart. The carbon dioxide molecules
then dissociate from the returning blood flow
in the alveoli of the lungs and, in gas form, are
breathed out of the body during exhalation.
To resume the physiology of breathing; we
inhale oxygen into our lungs with the air mixture
we breathe. It is absorbed by the blood and
pumped by the heart to cellular level. There
it is burned and transformed. The required
energy is delivered to and used by the body
cells and the bi product of carbon dioxide is
carried back to the lungs by the blood stream,
transformed into a gas and exhaled from the
lungs.
So, what mind-set changes can be stimulated
by different styles and techniques of breathing?
To understand how breathing actions can
influence our mind set, we should look in detail
at the communication connection between
the heart, the lungs and the brain.
Measuring
20
heart
beat
frequency
while
simultaneously monitoring the breathing cycle
of inhale/exhale, we find that during the inhale
period the heart rate speeds up slightly and
then slows down during the exhale. Known
as Heart Rate Variability (HRV), this is an
example of how the different parts of our body
communicate with each other to synchronise
facing up to a threat or standing down to
relaxation. The character of the inhale section
of a breathing cycle can communicate "alert to
danger", (heart beat speeds up), the character
of the exhale section can communicate "return
to safety", (heart beat slows down). Our body
system prepares itself for action or relaxation
in synergy with signals from the breath.
When we perceive the onset of danger, (visible
incoming attack, loud noise, sharp body
pain, etc.) an instinctive reaction will be to
take a sudden, very rapid, inhale. This in turn
triggers a faster heartbeat. These two actions
happening together provide instant extra
oxygen supply to our muscles and brain. The
same 'gasping' inhale also triggers a release
of adrenaline into the blood stream from the
pituitary gland, which rapidly communicates
the signal of "alert" to the rest of the body.
Tensing of various muscle groups follows
(raising of shoulders, closing of eyes, holding
the breath, contraction of abdomen, etc).
This alert warning of danger is known as the
sympathetic process and, once the danger is
perceived to have passed, the relaxing stand
down from alert, the return to normal function
is called the parasympathetic process.
Knowing how different breathing signals trigger
corresponding responses in body state, we
can trigger a physical state of body alert and
excitation by consciously choosing to inhale
faster. (As in preparation to face perceived
danger).
Conscious Connected
Breathing is a
powerful technique
Similarly, by choosing to focus on extending
the length of our exhale, we signal the body
to relax, calm down and open up safely to our
surroundings again, thus avoiding the toxic
effects of prolonged periods of stress on our
organisms. (shallow breathing, headaches, lack
of sleep, recourse to stimulants and addictive
substances etc).
The examples of "perceived danger" in this
description of the physiology of breathing have
been kept simple to help the understanding of
the process. In our city lives, we do not instantly
have to decide whether to "fight or fly" when
faced with a hungry tiger. Today, the perceived
danger will rather be manifested in physical
and psychological bullying in the work place or
at school, through shouting, or in verbal and
sexual assault or domestic violence.
When confronted with these threats, learning
awareness of the powerful influence of
conscious breathing on body state and mind
mood, combined with regular practice, gives us
a trusted vehicle with which to create positive
changes in our lives. Conscious Connected
Breathing is a powerful technique for releasing
habitual or addictive behaviour patterns that
disrupt healthy relationships in family, at work
or in play.
Viola Edward & Michael De Glanville are the owners of Kayana
International Breathwork. Viola is Transcultural Psychotherapist & Master
Mentor Founder of Feminine Capital Forum. Michael is a Mining Engineer,
Massage Teacher and Founder of Water Breath Fusion. Both are Breathwork
Professional Lead-Trainers. www.violaedward.com [email protected][email protected]
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