Cultivating Breath Intelligence
What is it and why it matters
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Very often people ask ‘I have MS or I suffer from depression or I have sinusitis. Which breathing technique should I do?
The answer is that there is no quick fix. Breathwork is not a pill. Although some techniques are particular useful for specific conditions or applications, what you really need to do is practice lots of different techniques to develop your Breath Intelligence.
About Breath Intelligence
Breath Intelligence is a way of breathing that is open, flowing, free, expansive and adaptable. Breathing this way supports the body’s internal balance and helps you be at your best.
Very often however, we don’t breathe freely, fully, openly…. Stress, tension, conscious and unconscious thoughts, our emotions, feelings and sensations we experience all affect the way we breathe. Overtime, we develop suboptimal breathing patterns.
How do we know we are ‘breathing intelligently’? Here are a couple of things you could check out.
How many breaths per minute do you take at rest? (It should be between 8 and 14).
Are you breathing in and out through the nose most of the day and night? (You should).
Place one hand on your abdomen and imagine you see someone on the opposite side of the street, and you want to call their attention. Shout something like “Hey!” Is your belly popping out or contracting? (It should contract).
Inhale and exhale normally then pause. How long can you hold your breath out) (You should be able to hold it comfortably for about 20 seconds).
Place one hand on your abdomen, one on your chest. When you inhale, which one moves first? (It should be the one on the abdomen).
These are simple ways to assess your breath intelligence. To wake up our breath intelligence and repattern the breathing mechanism back to its natural state, we need to pay deliberate attention to our breath and practise a variety of specific breathing techniques.
I don’t believe that practising one method all the time will help develop breath intelligence. The same as only doing squats again and again will not help you to strengthen your body harmoniously. The body needs a wide range of movements. So does the Breath.
The benefits
Here are just some of the best known benefits. One of the most immediate is breathwork´s ability to reduce stress and induce a state of relaxation. By consciously regulating our breath, we can activate the body's parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the "rest and digest" mode. This has a positive impact on our sleep and energy level.
We also feel quieter, more focused. As we all know, life is not always easy, and our minds can become cluttered and overwhelmed. Breathwork serves as a reset button for the brain. Deep, intentional breathing increases oxygen flow and optimises brain function, enhancing cognitive abilities.
Conscious breathing can also help regulate and balance emotions because our emotions are intricately connected to our breath. This increases our emotional resilience and can positively impact relationships and overall happiness.
Another great bonus, is that research suggests a strong connection between the breath and the immune system. Deep breathing promotes the production of immune-boosting cells, contributing to a more robust defense against illnesses. By incorporating breathwork into our daily routine, we can strengthen our immune system!
I always encourage my yoga students to move in different ways, make sure they use all the muscles in their body… I feel it is the same for Breathwork. Play with lots of techniques and observe how it feels. Give your body a chance to learn from it.
Would you like to start developing your breath intelligence? Join me on Wednesdays at 6 pm or Thursdays at 8.30 am. BOOK HERE
Have a wonderful day
Much love
Veronique