Hitting Send

We know how to breathe. It is something that occurs to us automatically, spontaneously, naturally. We are breathing even when we are not aware of it. So it seems foolish to think that one can be told how to breathe. Yet, one’s breathing becomes modified and restricted in various ways, not just momentarily, but habitually. We develop unhealthy habits without being aware of it. We tend to assume positions (slouched positions) that diminish lung capacities and take shortened breaths. Most of us breathe by expanding our chests, using our upper back and neck muscles to raise the rib cage. Our breathing is too shallow and too quick. We are not taking in sufficient oxygen and we are not eliminating sufficient carbon dioxide. As a result, our bodies are oxygen starved, and a toxic build-up occurs. Every cell in the body requires oxygen and our level of vitality is just a product of the health of all the cells. This leads to increased disease. Our resistance to disease is reduced, since oxygen is essential for healthy cells. This means we catch more colds and develop other ailments more easily. Lack of sufficient oxygen to the cells is a major contributing factor in cancer, heart disease and strokes.

Although “putting on a happy face” may seem artificial, allowing a genuine smile to spread through your body creates a powerful sense of relaxation. It is a subtle change in facial expression, a half-smile, which should extend through your eyes and the corners of your mouth. Smile both outwardly and inwardly, allowing the smile to spread throughout the body, letting tension release. You want to capture the feeling of “ahhhhhhh…,” relaxation. If you can’t do it, try forcing a big belly laugh (“ha-ha-ha”). That will get you to smile!

Place a hand on your stomach, and the other on your chest. Take a good breath. If you’re like most people, your chest expands but your stomach doesn’t move much. Lie down on your back and close your eyes.

Place your hand on your stomach and chest again. Most people naturally breathe through their stomach in this position. Take a few normal breaths to be sure your stomach expands as you breathe in, and goes down as you breathe out. Once you have the hang of it, continue breathing this way. You may place your hands wherever they feel most comfortable. Now, let that semi-smile spread from your lips and eyes to gently spread through your body. Enjoy this “mini-mental massage.” As your thoughts wander, (which they will) and your smile fades, just bring yourself back each time to an awareness of the breath and the smile. Once you are pleasantly relaxed, open your eyes, but continue the calm breathing and the smile. When ready, sit up, but continue to breathe from your stomach, and to smile!