Observing the horizon as the sun rises, it explodes bright colours on to my canvas. As the wind sways the trees, I match my breath to this rhythm. my lungs spread as wide as the sky….
I then receive a rush of gratitude for not having blocked nose, I am grateful I cleared my sinuses…
Nasal breathing brings our body away from a stressed state (fight or flight). Returning to the body to it’s natural rhythmic pattern of breathing through accessing the diaphragm. By doing this we activate the parasympathetic nervous system which is where the ‘rest and restore’ state is activated.
Just a few of the many amazing benefits of nasal breathing:
- Breathing through the nose encourages good facial development and straight teeth. A closed mouth, with the tongue where is should be, in the roof of the mouth for most of the time, can help the jaw grow enough to accommodate all the teeth.
- Nasal breathing helps reduces snoring and sleep apnoea and ensure a good night’s sleep.
- Breathing through the nose helps regulate the volume of air breathed, so that it can effectively match the body’s oxygen needs.
- Regulates digestion and lowers blood pressure.
- Mouth breathers have lower CO2 in their systems, therefore lower oxygen in their cells. Low CO2 tightens the airways and the blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the tissues, and also reduces transfer of oxygen from the blood into the tissues.
- The gas nitric oxide (or NO) is made in the nasal sinuses and during nasal breathing moves down into the lungs where it optimises oxygen transfer into the blood stream.
So the big secret to breathing through our nose was always under your nose from the first word you read in this article.
Never to force it or create it but just to observe it.
The following description is from a guided breathing awareness method is from my first online course.
“Stand or sit comfortably with eyes and mouth closed. Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth and gently rest it there. Relax all the muscles of your face. Let your mind become aware of your breath entering and leaving your nostrils as you inhale and exhale. Feel all the sensations, down to the movement of your nose hairs.”
No Air = No Life
Observe life happening and you’ll be just fine…