Last week, I touched upon four aspects of your health and we saw four yogic techniques that act as keys to keeping you healthy and energetic.
From this week, we will see how basic manoeuvres such as breathing, eye movements, listening to music or smiling bring about these changes.
The key to a healthy respiratory system lies in the quality of your breathing; eye movements can fix your nervous system; the spine, which forms the foundation of an active, agile body, is stimulated by sound; and smiling jump starts your hormonal secretions.
The human body is a complex system and it owes its good functioning to many activities falling into place efficiently. We take most of these activities such as breathing, eating, walking, talking, etc, for granted. It’s only when something goes wrong, such as when we are ill, in pain or just not happy, that we pay attention to them. Otherwise they happen automatically without any thought or effort.
However, the fact of the matter is that it takes a lot from your respiratory, digestive, circulatory, nervous and many such systems in your body to making these activities a cakewalk for you. When they are neglected, ailments such as asthma or even cancers can set in.
The ancient science of yoga has in its repertoire techniques to bring and keep the human body in good health. Sometimes these techniques are simple — as the ones I discussed last week — sometimes they are a little more difficult and take a lot of focus and hard work to bring about results. The key is to be regular with the practices. Armed with a complete understanding, you will be motivated to do so.
BREATH YOUR FIRST KEY
This week’s focus is the first key — Diaphragmatic Breathing. Yoga places the utmost emphasis on diaphragmatic or deep breathing, called the yogic breath.
Why is a deep breath so crucial? Why can you not breathe in any random way? You must have noticed that when you are angry, your breath becomes short; when you walk fast or run, you pant. Breath shortens when the body goes into high alert, more blood pumps to the muscles and the body starts preparing for an attack. Short breaths signal the body to start secreting stress hormones, and preparing for “fight or flight”.
When this happens, consciously start taking slow, long, deep breaths and you will notice an immediate change. When the breath is lengthened, the body cools and starts relaxing. Long breaths are a signal to your body to start the production of “happy hormones”. You immediately slip into the “rest and digest” mode. It’s not possible to be angry or reactive in this state. This is how you can use your breath as a transforming force.
BENEFITS OF DEEP DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING
1 The diaphragm is the principal inspiratory muscle used in respiration. When it is pushed down, it contracts and moves downwards into the abdominal cavity. This movement increases the volume of the thoracic cavity and more oxygen is drawn into the lungs. This starts an amazing process of emptying your system of toxins and filling it instead with oxy-haemoglobin (oxygen+blood). This has the following benefits:
More energy.
Freshness.
Cell renewal.
Better organ-tissue-muscle health.
Result: A glowing complexion, shiny hair, greater immunity and, therefore, age reversal.
2 Diaphragmatic breathing assists the abdominal muscles to stabilise the spine. The benefits are:
Stronger back muscles.
Well-aligned spine.
Relaxed spine.
Result: Flat abs, better posture, you feel taller, agility and being stress-free.
The practice of yoga is such that it leads to the intake of fresh oxygen with every inhalation and expulsion of stale carbon dioxide with every exhalation.
TIP OF THE WEEK: To experience the full benefits of a yogic breath, practise 12 rounds of the 12 postures of the sun salutation series
This is a 12-part yoga series titled, “Gateway to a Great Way of Life”. This is an interactive series, in which we will bring you practical DIY techniques. If you have questions regarding an ailment you may be suffering from or how yoga can help you overcome emotional obstacles, write to tabloid@gulfnews.com. For more information go to artisticyoga.com or to gulfnews.com/life-style/bharat-thakur
Next week: Learn the 12 postures of Surya Namaskar (sun salutation)
