Energise Blog: Natural Health & Alkaline Diet

After a particularly hard week, I have been finding myself lacking in energy during the afternoons. Personally, I always find this quite frustrating as I tend to spend my mornings doing the creative thinking and my afternoons putting the creativity into action. It was not until Friday morning that I caught myself breathing really shallow breaths and this served to remind me of the importance of breathing - and how improper breathing can effect everything from the way we feel, to the way we think and behave.

yogapeace.com write about the three different types of breathing being:

• Clavicular breathing is the most shallow and worst possible type. The shoulders and collarbone are raised while the abdomen is contracted during inhalation. Maximum effort is made, but a minimum amount of air is obtained.
• Thoracic breathing is done with the rib muscles expanding the rib cage, and is the second type of incomplete breathing.
• Deep abdominal breathing is the best, for it brings air to the lowest and largest part of the lungs. Breathing is slow and deep, and proper use is made of the diaphragm.

This is very interesting and important to note - for instance, had I have asked you to picture yourself taking a deep breath, you may well have pictured yourself filling your lungs with air by puffing up your chest and raising your shoulders similarly to the Clavicular breath. Before I learned about this I know I certainly would have.

They point to this exercise as a way to learn how to breath more effectively:

To get the feel of proper diaphragmatic breathing, wear loose clothing and lie on the back. Place the hand on the upper abdomen, where the diaphragm is located. Breathe in and out slowly. The abdomen should expand outward as you inhale and contract as you exhale. Try to get the feeling of this motion.

This is vitally important to the way we function and can have a huge effect on the proper functioning of the lymphatic system which makes it vital for those who are looking to detox, lose weight or follow an alkaline diet.

I first learned about this at an Anthony Robbins event and have written about his breathing exercise here. But this is only one exercise and although it is very effective - I would also recommend taking a look at the breathing exercises detailed here too at breathmastery.com

I try to spend at least five minutes on breathing exercises at least two, and ideally three, times per day. A short walk, to take a break from work is a great time to do this. It allows you to either clear your mind completely or really focus, creatively on a task or goal in hand away from the distractions of your surroundings.

I am sure that there are some excellent breathing techniques out there that I have never come across and it would be great to hear of some more. If you have an exercise you like to use, don’t be afraid to post in the comments!