Importance of Breathing Correctly: Pranayama, Deep Breathing and Their Profound Mental, Physical and Spiritual Benefits

No one can live for more than a few minutes without breathing; however, most of the people are unaware about the importance of breathing properly. Improper breathing means you are using only a fraction of the potential respiratory capacity.

Breathing Correctly is

Important for Health

Deep Breathing and Its Significance: Breathing For Health

When you inhale, you take in oxygen in the lungs and it is transported via the bloodstream to every cell within the body. Oxygen is essential for the process of metabolism (i.e. the process wherein the cells breakdown the chemicals in the food to simpler compounds and generate energy). Oxygen rich blood is pumped to all the pars of the body and used in metabolism.

Breathing Correctly Is Very Important

Breath is seen as the outward manifestation of prana or the vital force that flows through your body. By breathing right and exercising control over your breathing, you can control the subtle energies within the body and thus gain full control over your mind.

In yogic breathing exercises (pranayama), the breath is a very important link between our physical and mental aspects. Pranayama strengthens the physical body and calms, clears and steadies our mind. What’s more, pranayama proffers spiritual / pranic benefits as well, helping you attain self realization.

Benefits of Pranayama: Mental and Physical Benefits of Correct Breathing

The benefits of pranayama are overwhelming. Pranayama offers you physical, mental and pranic (spiritual) benefits:

Physical Benefits of Pranayama

Correct breathing comprises of a 3-part movement: first the diaphragm causes the abdomen to expand and fill the lower portion of the lungs. Then, the inter-costal muscles expand and fill the middle portion of the lungs. And finally, the clavicles lift and allow the upper part of the lungs to fill. 

Happiness and Tranquility
with correct breathing

• The chief physical benefit is a rich and adequate supply of oxygen to all the cells of the body, thus generating efficient functioning.
• Metabolic rate is optimal and all the nutrients are assimilated.
• Proper breathing helps your body to get rid of all the noxious wastes effectively and detoxifies the body

Mental Benefits of Pranayama

Your brain needs more oxygen than other organs of the body. Deep breathing has always been recommended for optimal stress management. A lack of oxygen to the brain denotes poor concentration, irritability and reduced control over one’s emotions. 

• Pranayama promises improved concentration and memory and improves attention span.
• It increases the ability to deal with complex and difficult situations, without subjecting your body to stress
• Correct breathing teaches good emotional control and helps reduce anxiety

 Pranic (Spiritual) Benefits of Pranayama and Correct Breathing

 The prana is subtle energy; it flows through the chakras and nadis. The chakras are energy centers that are connected to the nadis or channels through which the subtle energy flows. 

•  When the prana is consciously controlled, it is a powerful vitalizing and rejuvenating force.
• Once you are able to control your prana, it can be manipulated for self development and healing.
• It helps you achieve stillness and tranquility and instills calmness

Natural Home Remedies, Diet and Yoga Deep Breathing to Cure Chronic Sinusitis

The sinuses are small cavities that tend to get blocked as a result of inflamed nasal passages, more often than not, due to an allergen such as, dust, animal dander or pollen. As the nasal passage gets occluded, the bacteria attack the mucus membrane of the sinus and this causes sinus infection. Certain foods are known to treat sinus infection efficiently. They help alleviate the symptoms of the infection, and also reduce the intensity and frequency of the complaint. Also, aromatherapy and Pranayama have been proved to be significantly helpful in sinusitis.

Sinusitis has emerged as a very common upper respiratory tract disorder that has a tendency to wards chronicity. The following home remedies and natural treatments promise to manage the case successfully.

X ray image of Sinusitis

Chronic Sinusitis Symptoms
By and large, people complain of:

•  Headaches
• Sneezing and nasal discharge
• Nose block
• Watering of the eyes
• Fever and weakness

Sinus Infection Diet and Home Remedy

•  Garlic: Garlic is an infection fighter. It effectively combats microbial activity and eliminates infection promptly. Soak 2 flakes of grated raw garlic in half a bowl of honey. Let it sit for 2 hours. Consume this mixture everyday, for at least a week.
• Ginger: ginger halts the process of inflammation. It clears up the sinuses, reduces swelling and inflammation and drains mucus. Grate half an inch of ginger in a glassful of water and boil for 15 minutes. Consume this decoction, twice daily.
• Lime: limes are chockfull of vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful anti oxidant that perks up the working of the immune system and makes the body less vulnerable to infections. Have the juice of freshly squeezed lime everyday.

 Natural Remedy for Sinus Infection

Steam inhalation is the best natural remedy for sinusitis. It helps to unclog the blocked nasal passages and helps in sinus drainage. Take a bowl of water and let it boil. Bow your head over the bowl of water and inhale the vapors. Inhale the vapors for about 5 minutes. Also, adding a drop of two of essential oils like, Eucalyptus oil or Peppermint oil has miraculous benefits.

 Sinusitis Cures: The Complete Breath or Yoga Deep Breathing

Deep Breathing Yoga

The most effective and permanent cure for sinusitis is Pranayama. Pranayama means regulated and controlled breathing. Breathing right helps to improve lung capacity, enhance lung power, and fight respiratory disorders and enhances immunity

1. Sit comfortably, in a cross legged position. Close your eyes.

2. This Pranayama technique is divided in to abdominal breathing, thoracic breathing and clavicualr breathing.

3. Inhale and be conscious of the air entering your abdomen, then your chest, and then the clavicular portion of the lungs. Hold the breath for 2 seconds, then exhale, such that the air leaves the clavicular portion first, then the thoracic and then the abdomen.