Breathe
So, you want to level-up? Where is your level now?
Let’s consider if our nervous system is in balance and what does that mean? We are either operating in sympathetic response, which is your fight, flight or freeze or parasympathetic response, which is rest, digest and repair. We need these to function in a balanced way. Because we live in a high-demand society that perpetuates fear, apprehension, anxiety and distrust, many people get stuck in a sympathetic tone, leading to over-breathing and mouth breathing.
Stress is ubiquitous; we would all like to feel at ease. Do you notice you breathe with your mouth open when working out? Do you wake up during the night and your mouth is dry? Do you sigh a lot during the day?
Becoming aware of our breathing patterns is crucial. At first, upon changing your pattern to nasal breathing, you may feel like you are not getting enough oxygen. Chronic mouth breathers over breathe to get their oxygen requirement, as dictated by fight or flight.
So when you change your habit pattern, it can be uncomfortable. You can start by taking slow breaths in and out of your nose and then taking deep breaths. It takes focused concentration and a willingness to become aware. You can use mouth tape or paper tape to relieve sleeping patterns with your mouth open. Thus, nasal breathing reduces heart and respiration rates and increases nitric oxide improving heart function. It relaxes people and changes your relationship with stressors. You become a more resilient organism when facing stress.
Throughout history, ancient people have known the power of breath, and there are many practices. There are good books by some pulmonauts, such as Breath by James Nestor and The Oxygen Advantage by Patrick McKeown.
Enjoy your breath!
Maurgana Stiastny, LAc, MAcOM, LMT, has been an acupuncturist and natural healthcare practitioner for 31 years. Find her at Maui Vibrant Health in Paia and Kihei, or call her at 808.579.8810. Listen free to James Nestor’s book: https://goldenaudiobooks.com/james-nestor-breath-audiobook/
