Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Life is so stressful and one thing that we do when we’re stressed is breath shallowly or hold our breath, and that is like death to the body. From Sanskrit, the word pranayama comes from “prana” meaning “life-force” and “ayama” meaning “to lengthen or regulate.”
In the yogic tradition there are a lot of variations of pranayama breathing. But I like to think of it as flowing through my day. If I feel irritable, anxious, stressed, or angry, I take long deep soothing breaths. Another reason to focus on the breath is when you’re in panic or pain. Like say you’re at the dentist and all those hands and painful instruments reaching into your mouth. Pranayama.
In Karma, my character Dr. Meredith Fitzgerald uses survival breathing to keep a clear head. Inhale for 4, exhale for 4. But would you be surprised to know that slow, even, modulated breathing can actually lower your blood pressure? There is a device you can buy that will help you keep track of your breathing. It’s called “Respirate,” and it really works. But if you don’t want to drop $150 on that little gadget, you can do it yourself but you have to be disciplined. Just sit quietly and watch the second hand on a clock. It doesn’t matter how long your breaths are as long as they are even. So if you breath in for 7 seconds, then breath out for 7 seconds. Do this for 10-15 minutes a day every day for 2 weeks and your blood pressure will drop.
Om Shanti,
Your girlfriend in health,
My blog is dedicated to my Life Mission: Living a happy and fulfilled life, caring about body, mind, and spirit. I hope you come back and read how you can define, explore, and live your Life Mission.
PRANAYAMA BREATHING TO LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Life is so stressful and one thing that we do when we’re stressed is breath shallowly or hold our breath, and that is like death to the body. From Sanskrit, the word pranayama comes from “prana” meaning “life-force” and “ayama” meaning “to lengthen or regulate.”
In the yogic tradition there are a lot of variations of pranayama breathing. But I like to think of it as flowing through my day. If I feel irritable, anxious, stressed, or angry, I take long deep soothing breaths. Another reason to focus on the breath is when you’re in panic or pain. Like say you’re at the dentist and all those hands and painful instruments reaching into your mouth. Pranayama.
In Karma, my character Dr. Meredith Fitzgerald uses survival breathing to keep a clear head. Inhale for 4, exhale for 4. But would you be surprised to know that slow, even, modulated breathing can actually lower your blood pressure? There is a device you can buy that will help you keep track of your breathing. It’s called “Respirate,” and it really works. But if you don’t want to drop $150 on that little gadget, you can do it yourself but you have to be disciplined. Just sit quietly and watch the second hand on a clock. It doesn’t matter how long your breaths are as long as they are even. So if you breath in for 7 seconds, then breath out for 7 seconds. Do this for 10-15 minutes a day every day for 2 weeks and your blood pressure will drop.
Om Shanti,
Your girlfriend in health,