Breathwork as a means for Health and Wellness.

A study was done on centegenarians (those who live to be 100) from all over the globe. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors surrounding these individuals remarkable longevity. The observers investigated various data such as location, climate, food sources, cultural and religious values, and the individuals mental/emotional outlook. It was found that many of these centegenarians shared commonality across several areas of factors investigated. However it was observed that almost 100 percent of the subjects of this study engaged in slow deep abdominal breathing.

Traditional Asian Medicine has valued the role of deep breathing in maintaining and promoting health since ancient times. Breathwork is considered to be as valuable as methods such as acupuncture or herbal medicine for healing. The combination of deep abdominal breathing with slow movements is known as Qigong(“chee-kung”) in the Chinese culture. The Chinese martial arts such as Tai Chi and Kung Fu all place great emphasis on abdominal breathing. Chinese Opera singers are also masters of abdominal breathing.

The western medical community is now recognizing breathwork as beneficial to a wide array of bodily processes. Relaxed breath control efficiently switches the central nervous system to the parasympathetic mode, which is the exact opposite of the stressed out “flight or fight” mode that we all too often find ourselves in. Dr Andrew Weil, a Harvard trained M.D. states that “stress is a leading cause in every disease process within the body.” The body, when residing in a relaxed state increases blood circulation, improves digestion and elimination as well as regulates the hearbeat. Recently, The Harvard medical press reported that breathing exercises can have a lowering or stabilizing effect on the blood pressure.

On a mechanical level deep diaphragmatic breathing acts like a 'second heart' in the diaphragm region to circulate blood throughout the internal organs as well as to the periphery of the body. This improved circulation has the effect of cleansing of tissues as well as stimulating the endocrine system. The cleansing and purifying aspect of deep breathwork reaches down to the cellular level. Germs, viruses and bacteria cannot survive in a high oxygen environment within the body. When we practice deep breathing we can activate and strengthen our immune system to fight off infection and disease.

There are two components to a breath: inspiration and expiration. The word inspiration and its root inspire have the original meaning of: to be with spirit or to be infused with spirit. There are many cultures around the world that believe one can gain spiritual peace through various methods of breathing. This applies to us in the field of health in that Breathwork can be greatly beneficial in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders. When we are in an anxious or stressed state, on a physical level we breathe shallowly and quickly. The mind and the body are like a feedback system whereby they each influence the other. Conversely practicing deep relaxed breathing is a physical practice that invariably brings about a resultant relaxation in the quality of mind and emotions.

To find out more about Breathwork or Qigong contact us here at The New Eastern Health Center. Qi gong and Tai Chi classes are beginning now, call to enroll.or visit  www.neweasternhealth.com