Regular deep breathing exercise is a treatment for ailments, shifts mind states and alters emotions.

Performing breathing exercise at least three times daily is recommended to remove stress and tension and improves your health level. In the midst of your daily activities, you should pause and take time off to exercise simple breathing techniques.

You may have been taking your breath for granted. You allow the process of inhaling and exhaling subconsciously, without putting in any effort.

Just like any exercise program, breathwork or breathing technique is essential to provide sufficient oxygen to your brain. This provides you with the energy to keep you going.

Breathing exercise involves focus and is done consciously. When you focus on your respiratory, you are concentrating your power within. You open up the blocks to your consciousness and become more aware and alive and improve your body and mind function.

Why do you need to practice proper breathing?

1. Puts you in a relaxed state of mind and encourages access to creative imagination and learning ability.
2. Leads to physical relaxation.
3. The exercise releases anxiety and influences better health.
4. Provides a healthy bloodstream that transports oxygen and nutrients to your cells.
5. Focusing on taking deep and slow breath during an emotional upheaval will direct your body to calm down.

A simple breathing exercise.

• Start from your abdomen and inhale deeply through your nose to the count of five.

You are taking in the oxygen to supply to your blood and your brain to function effectively. When you are deprived, it could lead to passiveness, seizures or even brain damage.

When you focus on this breathing exercise, you will change your habit of breathing from your mouth. Since focused breathwork brings about relaxation and calmness, you will get rid of the fast and shallow breathing that accompanies worry and stress from your daily activities.

• Hold your breath for a count of twenty.

When you are holding your breath, you are allowing for full cleansing of the blood and activate your body's immune system. Retaining your breath after inhaling gather toxins in your body and at the same time purify your lungs. When you hold your breath, you are also distributing the oxygen to all parts of your body.

• Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of ten.

You are releasing carbon monoxide and other toxins from your body and you stimulate your diaphragm.

Repeat it at least ten times per session. You may replace with any number that you are comfortable with. For the best effect, keep the ratio of inhaling according to your capability, holding your breath four times and slowly exhaling twice the length that you inhaled.

Here's another simple breathing technique that heightens your concentration.

1. Cover one nostril while you inhale.
2. Cover the other when you exhale.

You can learn to improve your breathing through the practice of yoga. Get rid of all the tension and stresses in your daily life by consciously practicing this technique and making it a habit. It takes some practice to condition yourself but it's worth it

You can find Yoga videos, props, and clothing here.

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