Breatheolution™
What is Breathing?
Breathing is the process by which living organisms take in oxygen from the environment and expel carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism. This process is essential for life, as oxygen is required for the production of energy in the cells.
In humans and many animals, breathing is primarily facilitated by the respiratory system, which includes the lungs, airways, and respiratory muscles such as the diaphragm. The process involves two main phases:
Inhalation (Inspiration): During inhalation, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract, expanding the chest cavity and creating negative pressure within the lungs. This pressure difference causes air to flow into the lungs, bringing in oxygen-rich air.
Exhalation (Expiration): During exhalation, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and expelling air from the lungs. This air, now containing carbon dioxide, is then released into the environment.
Breathing can occur automatically without conscious effort, governed by the brainstem, but it can also be controlled voluntarily, such as during speaking, singing, or practices like breathwork. The rate and depth of breathing can vary depending on factors like physical activity, emotional state, and overall health.
Buteyko Method
There is a common belief that the more air we breathe, the healthier we are. Few people realise that in order to increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to the tissues, breathing should be slowed down so that less air enters the body. You know that you are taking less air into the lungs than normal when you experience a tolerable feeling of air hunger. Within a few minutes of continued slowing of the breath to experience air hunger, body temperature increases to indicate an improvement to blood circulation. At the same time, there is an increase to watery saliva in the mouth – traditionally observed in Yoga as activation of the body’s relaxation response.
In 1957 Ukrainian Dr. Konstantin Buteyko observed that unhealthy people have noticeable breathing during rest. Their breathing is often through the mouth, using the upper chest with a respiratory rate and volume greater than normal.
By practicing breathing exercises and breath holds from the Buteyko Method you can experience more open airways and improved blood circulation in a matter of minutes. This alone is enough to demonstrate the relationship between your everyday breathing and state of health.
You should consider this method on a daily basis as oppossed to stressor exercises like the Wim Hof method if you are suffering from anxiety, heightened state of arousal, long Covid symptoms and asthma. Reducing your chemoreceptor sensitivity to CO2 build in the blood can have long lasting benefits to your mental and health.
I am a fully qualified Buteyko instructor and trained with the wonderful Patrick Mckeown and his team at the Buteyko Clinic in Ireland. I have been successfully using these techniques and exercises to improve my respiratory health and the health of thousands of others since being introduced to the power of this knowledge.
Breathing is vital to life but learn to breathe right and you can unlock greater levels of fitness and health than you ever imagined possible. Surprising as it may seem, the classic instruction to 'take a deep breath’ and fill the lungs with air is entirely the wrong approach if your goal is to deliver more oxygen throughout your body.
The breathing techniques in Patrick McKeown’s Oxygen Advantage have worked for thousands of people, from asthmatics to olympic athletes. With this easy to use programme and instructor guided exercises you can:
Improve your energy levels, concentration and mental focus
Become fitter and stronger than ever before
Achieve your perfect weight and goals by suppressing your appetite naturally through correct respiratory process
Increase your exercise intensity while expending less effort and breathing less heavily or panting
Stimulate high-altitude training to improve aerobic and anaerobic capacity
If you are interested in receiving some Oxygen Advantage Coaching just push the button below for more information and how to book.
The benefits are too extensive to list but here are a few:
Increases oxygen uptake in the body and mind
Improves concentration
Improves mental well-being
Better hormone regulation
Increases energy levels and focus
Relieves stress
Improves sleep including snoring and apnea
Dilation of the vascular system
Helps to relieve symptoms of depression, over thinking and anxiety
…the list goes on!
