Jed McKenna mentions in his second book that our society does not know how to properly breathe, and as a result we're running around in a constant state of panic, in fight-or-flight mode. Most everyone breathes using the upper portion of their lungs.
I've heard before that when anxious or stressed, one can breathe deeper using their diaphragm. Doing so, one becomes more relaxed. I've only tried this for several moments a few times in my life, usually during educational lectures, but now that Jed mentions it, I think I'm going to try to be more aware of my breathing. I hope that after practicing, I'll be able to naturally breathe this way.
Do any of you naturally breathe using your diaphragm? Or do you have to constantly be aware of it, and so force yourself to do so?
25 comments:
It comes and goes. Breathing from the diaphram is a given for a singer, which I am. It is also a basic yogic methodology and I have deliberately done so for decades from that perspective as well.
Do I have to be constantly aware of it? Pretty much. As a man, my beltline reminds me when I'm not breathing from the diaphram. Many folks would equate breathing from the diaphram as contributing to having a pot belly. Maybe so, but I can attest to the benefits of breathing from the diaphram and the absolute necessity of doing so when I am singing.
I am trying to collect my thoughts on this subject, as this has been a very important one to me in the past. What do I think about breathing and breathing techniques?
Being aware of your breathing is probably one of the most effective way to relax and recharge yourself. And there are many ways of doing it. You can, for example, be more aware of or concentrate on the in-breathing or the out-breathing or the transition from in and out. Or you can just try to be aware of your breathing and nothing else. If you don't suffer from any kind of physical or psychological problem, this may help a lot to feel better. However, I have the idea that any conscious or active way of influencing your state of mind can have a long term effect on the way you function in society. This is very difficult to explain, so you will find this out for yourself.
I mean, there are probably some "dangers" involved if you don't know what your are doing. Personally, I tried some of the most esoteric forms of breathing techniques. Without really knowing where they come from. Perhaps they are very ancient, and must have come from some traditional practice or training like taoism, kungfu and some of them are being practiced nowadays in modern sports like karate and aikido, without much understanding.
I do not practice any form of breathing exercises or awareness, nowadays. But often I notice how I breath. Like I tend to emphasize the out-breath and not worry about the in-breath, but this is not necessarily a good thing. I will not elaborate.
There is also what people call reverse breathing, which is what is being practice in zen and in some martial arts. I will not describe it. It could be beneficial but it too has its side-effect, I was told.
Perhaps, there is really nothing wrong with experimenting. Especially when applied to singing and dancing.
They talk about breathng from your diaphragm in meditating. After meditating for many years, seems like there was a carry over into my normal breathing...
Well, there is a age old technique of breathing in India called Pranayama. I think you have heard about. The proponents of the same believe that if practised everyday it is a natural cure for many diseases including stress and depreesion. It is also meant to cure many other ailments as well.
But I am not sure what you mean by using the diaphragm. I am into Pranayama but dont do it regularly though. But one good thing that is has done is that it has made me conscious of my breathing.
So when I am on my long walks, or running or swimming I very conscious of how am I breathing. Am I filling up the air in the stomach which many of us are prone to do?
And it has helped, especially in the times of stress.
I don't really think about my breathing. I do know that I use short breaths witch is supposedly is not the best for you. Have you noticed how some people, in the morning, breath in the fresh,clean crisp air in a deep manner? This is good as it brings in the fresh air to your lungs. When I used to meditate, I always started with good long breaths in and out to circulate the old and new air.
Any type of exercise will get you breathing deaply, from the diaphram.
I've also been told to expand your "belly" when breathing in, which is the opposite of what I'm used to. Not sure if that is really good, though, as it seems to also expand by STOMACH!!
MY stomach, I mean.... :)
Sophia,
You may find these two entries interesting
http://tracelesswarrior.blogspot.com/2005/12/breath-play.html
There is some scientific data on pathological breathing at the end of this one.
And
http://tracelesswarrior.blogspot.com/2006/01/watch-your-breath.html
Has some material that has some merit.
M
Well, that didn't work lets try this again
Breath Play
Watch your breath
I think I need to make more effort to breathe deeply.
Thanks for reminding me.
Rob MMMMMM
Breathing controls and uses of them, can take you just about anywhere you want to go, but also someplaces you might not want to go. The latter are brought about by the oldest practise of taking control away from the autonomous Angelic system and controling the breathing by numbers, it has many variations, and it can and does produce greatly altered states of consciousness (as you might see considering that your breath rhythm is related to your heart which is a prophet angel which prepares you for the next moment), consciousness of preparedness, or maybe better said, breathing can become the means to predict what the controler causes to become the next moments reality.
Hence anonymous is right in saying that there is some connection with breathing controls and behaviour in society or social situations, certainly there is.
Just my experience talking, but I also draw on the Hebrew Text for this, the indications by the Letters.
I know that I have to make myself aware to do full, deep breathing. It not only is more relaxing it also helps the brain to think more clearly.
Deep breathing is a good tech to relax.... My problem is- I am a breath holder.... I breath from botht the upper and lower lobes of the lungs, however I noticed when I am breathing from the lower half (diaphram)it happens more often....
Hmmmm..... I also wake up from my sleep holding it, and then I cough... I may have sleep apnea... I don't want to go for sleep study!
The thin blue carpet arrived
Today. It is getting colder.
My house is full of junk;
I needed to move things around.
My furniture are all oaken;
They are massive and heavy,
there was no one to help me.
But I had to do something.
So I disconnected my computer
and turned off the tv set.
When I was thru my back ached;
I had to lie down and think.
I remembered to watch my breath.
First, I noted the in-breath
until my mind wandered again.
Yes, I needed to breathe deeply
and not worry about exhaling.
Nobody had killed himself yet
by holding his precious breath.
Yet my mind kept wandering
but I had to keep breathing.
After a while I felt better
and then fell fast asleep.
Not a very long time ago
I learned how to reverse
my breathing to tranquilize
my mind and avoid anxiety
as well as combat the cold.
It had become second nature.
I tend to tense my diaphragm
when I am expelling the air
to protect my intestines
and to oviate "baywindows",
I was told not long ago.
Perhaps it helps, perhaps not.
I hope I don't get high-blood
and live to be 100 years old.
I am bragging again!
That should be lower abdomen not diaphragm. I'm not sure if you could tense it.
By the way this is probably how good singers sing. By reverse breathing. So when you sing you kind of reverse breath. To maintain a steady flow of air.
There is a lot of online articles on breathing and "reverse" breathing. If you google "reverse breathing" you will find enough to begin a practice. Try first
http://en.wikipedia.org/
wiki/
Reverse_breathing
Hi Joe,
That reminds me of what Jed McKenna said about breathing from the diaphragm. He said our society is too vain to breath that way, because they're too afraid of enlarging their waistline!
What do you sing? Opera, contemporary stuff? Alto, tenor? When I used to sing, I was a soprano.
Anonymous #1,
When I'm trying to clear my thoughts and worries, either while just relaxing or trying to meditate, I focus on my breathing to help me reach a blank mind. I watch my in-breath and the out-breathing, following them every moment. At least, I do this until thoughts pop up again. It really is quite useful for meditation.
A friend today sent me some information on reverse breathing. I just tried it. At first it was difficult, because it was confusing trying to expand my belly while breathing out and contracting while breathing in. It's definitely a paradox, and it takes some work. I wonder about the benefits of it. Maybe it's even better for meditation than plain breathing, because your mind has to focus on it all the more.
Paul,
Just curious, but do you find that after years of meditating and deep breathing you feel more calm and relaxed than before you started meditating?
I mean, breathing the way you do now, do you feel more peace?
Hi Kaushik,
Nice to meet you.
I have heard the term Pranayama, but I do not know the techniques.
By breathing from the diaphragm, I mean breathing so that your belly expands.
Anytime I tell my doctor about my moments of anxiety, she always asks me if I tried to breathe deeply. My goal is to be more aware during these moments so that I can remember to breathe this way.
Thanks for your contributions to the comments. :)
Jon,
Hehee... you should read what I wrote to Joe, about the expansion of the belly during this type of breathing. Maybe it will help you to think differently about it!
I think the "danger" of conscious breathing is when you use it to tranquilize your mind when you are anxious. Of course, this is being recommended by some therapists and even psycholgists nowadays as a form of therapy. But my opinion is that it should applied or practiced only by people who had some traumatic experiences or who already are suffering from panic attacks. And strictly to improve ones physical health.
Incidentally watching the breath is The Buddha's most important method of meditation to gain enlightenment. If I am not mistaken.
However, I do not see any reason why you shouldn't use it to relax and to recharge yourself.
On reverse breathing.
I have the idea, that reverse breathing is like singing. You have to keep your lower abdomen expanded to prevent the air from completely leaving your lungs during exhalation. Or you will have to make a big inhalation everytime. So what you do is like taking little breaths whenever you can or need to. Anyway, it's suppose to be the way you breath when you are tired, anxious, excited or afraid. Not really sure. I don't have to think about it anymore. It comes naturally to me.
It can be very exhausting, sometimes. A way to build stamina, perhaps.
One side effect could be high blood pressure. So be careful. Too much of everything is not good. Including meditation.
Also, beware of flatulence. It might destroy your friendship. ;>)
Hi Sophia,
At the moment, 2nd tenor, though I can sing 1st bass
I currently sing with a barbershop group, though I prefer classical (not opera).
Best wishes, as usual
Hi Sophia,
At the moment, 2nd tenor, though I can sing 1st bass
I currently sing with a barbershop group, though I prefer classical (not opera).
Best wishes, as usual
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