Perfect practice makes perfect– even one’s manner of breathing allows the lymph system to drain dead cells, excess fluid, and toxic materials off the body. Studies show deep breathing and muscular movement revs up the process by as much as 15 times.
Body cleansing via breathing works in aerobics exercise–including the regimen for the elderly such as qigong, bhakti yoga, taiqiquan, and aikido that stresses fusion of body movement with breathing patterns–inhale (one count), hold breath in diaphragm (four counts), exhale (two counts). Body cleansing aside, disciplined breathing also stacks up body stamina for concentrated burst of power and speed.
We breathe in when carbon dioxide levels in the blood are up. The oxygen intake displaces some of the CO2, lower Pits level to normal. But in an asthma attack, the sufferer panics and does rapid breathing–and causes the CO2 level to drop too low.
Airways constrict, mucous turns up–air intake is reduced, CO2 level further drops. The asthma sufferer panics even more, gasps for more air which only worsens the problem. The sufferer usually reaches out for a whiff off a nebulizer or bronchodilator, if that’s available.
If not, the sufferer might as well learn a drug-free breathing technique plied by Russian physician, Dr. Konstantin Bute yko. A s t he 20 02 Journal of Asthma and Thorax in 2003, have it the Buteyko tack can reduce reliance on bronchodilators and the need for corticosteroids in asthma patients.
The technique: “Breathe a shallow breath through your nose for two breaths and on the second exhalation; pause for as long as comfortable, before breathing in again, increasing the length of time the pause was held each time.”
The goal is to practice this controlled breathing for a period of time several times a day and increase the “control pause” each session until you can hold those pauses for at least 60 seconds.
Studies show the Buteyko breathing technique helps to decrease the number and severity of attacks, improves acid/alkaline balance in the body, and strengthens lung ventilation. The technique can be taught to children as young as three years of age and up.
