Introduction to Supportive Breathwork
As a Nutritional Therapist, I understand that true wellness encompasses more than just the food we eat. Our breath, often overlooked, is a powerful tool that can significantly impact our overall health and well-being. Breathwork is a simple yet profound practice that can complement our nutritional efforts and support our body's natural healing processes.
The breath serves as a bridge between our conscious and unconscious minds, and between our physical and mental states. By learning to control and optimise our breathing, we can influence various bodily functions, including our digestion, stress levels, and immune response.
Today, I'd like to introduce you to a foundational breathwork exercise called diaphragmatic breathing, also known as belly breathing. This technique is designed to:
Enhance oxygen flow throughout your body
Support your digestive system
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improve overall well-being
This exercise is suitable for all levels and can be practiced daily. As you incorporate this breathwork into your routine, you may notice improvements in your energy levels, mental clarity, and even your relationship with food. Remember, just as we nourish our bodies with wholesome foods, we can nourish our entire being with mindful breathing.
Now, let's begin with the diaphragmatic breathing exercise...
Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise
Step-by-Step Guide:
Find a comfortable seated position or lie down on your back.
Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of 4, focusing on expanding your belly rather than your chest.
Hold the breath for a count of 2.
Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 6, feeling your belly fall.
Repeat this cycle for 5-10 breaths or 2-3 minutes.
Benefits:
This exercise can be particularly supportive as it:
Engages the entire digestive system, which houses about 80% of immune tissue, potentially supporting better immune system response.
Helps retrain breathing patterns to be slower, calmer, and more effective.
May reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.
Supports overall health and wellbeing by improving oxygen flow throughout the body.
Tips for Practice:
Try and practice this exercise daily, ideally in a quiet environment.
Starting the day off like this can set the tone for the rest of the day and energise you.
Imagine as you're doing this, you're breathing in the energy from Earth, and when you breath out, you're letting go of everything that doesn't serve you anymore.
Keep your shoulders relaxed and focus on the movement of your belly.
Diaghrammatic
Gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the technique.
To take it one step further you could incorporate a visualisation, imagine visualising your goals.
This exercise is a great starting point if you haven't tried breathwork before and you can build on this over time and use it as and when you feel the need.
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