The Breathe-Easy Miracle Cure

People have peddled "miracle cures" for human discomfort, dis-ease, and inner turmoil throughout human history.

There is a powerful tool that happens to be free and readily accessible anywhere, anytime: the breath. It is an interesting life function, as the the only visible difference between a still body and a corpse.

We all know the basics: inhalation brings oxygen to the lungs. The nourishing oxygen then travels through the blood to feed all the tissue, organs, etc. The lungs exhale the waste gas carbon dioxide, which has traveled in the blood through the body. This intricate process of gas exchange is essential for life. We die quickly without it, when drowning, suffocating, etc.

As we become stressed, anxious, worried, depressed, and even when we experience physical pain, we tend to hold and repress our breath. There is a misguided and subconscious notion that there is safety and control in restriction. When we restrain our breath, we artificially induce the sensation of drowning, suffocation, etc. It makes everything feel worse because it is worse.

In reality, extension of the breath brings safety and comfort, and teaches us the difference between what we can control and what we can’t. We don’t have to control our breath. It volunteers itself for our well-being. But we can. Unlike everything and everyone outside our control, we can exert control over our breath. In the process, we heal the breath and ourselves.

We can’t control our emotions, our thoughts, and our physical pain. But practicing breath control can comfort the emotions, quiet the mind, relax the whole, and even ease physical pain. An obvious example is the use of the Lamaze (and other similar techniques) to manage the pain of childbirth.

As we practice controlling our breath, we enhance our general well-being so that we are better able to cope with life’s ups and downs. In calmness and comfort, we can assess what situations require action on our part. Better yet, we can assess when no action (beyond non-resistance) is needed. We can spend less of our energy running around like decapitated chickens, trying to manage the unmanageable.

As with all practice, the most important step is the first: observation. Observe the breath. Breath has much to teach us. Anytime, anywhere, and just for the one and only moment, exhale fully. Then focus on how slowly, smoothly, and fully you can inhale. On the exhale, focus on how slowly, smoothly, and fully you can exhale. Repeat as desired. When upset or agitated, you may want to repeat ten times. In extreme circumstances, I have repeated a hundred times! I was clinging to the nourishing breath, like I was lost at sea and clinging to a flotation device.

For a more comprehensive experience, semi-recline in a comfortable position, so that there is no tension in the body. Allow the chest to drape open, if possible. Ensure that the whole body feels supported, relaxed, and comfortable. Then play! Breathe in for a slow count of two, and out for a slow count of two. Then increase to a count of three, four, five or even six if you can. You can play with a brief holding of the breath at the top of the inhale before you exhale. Or you can play with trying to make the transition between inhale and exhale (and vice versa) as smoothly as possible. There are many on-line videos if more instruction is desired. My personal opinion: there's no wrong way to do it. Focusing on the breath and tending to it is a blessing we give ourselves.

Another very helpful and fun tool for learning breath control is through the practice of yogic poses (Asana). Metaphorically breathing in to the tights spots allows the nervous system to better tolerate the discomfort of the tightness. Breathing steadies balance. Relaxing on the mat is a great space for observing the breath and playing with it. There, we fully recognize the power of the breath in relieving stress, anxiety, and all manner of dis-ease. Then we can take that skill off the mat, to practice in life.

Most of us take breath for granted. It happens on its own, after all. It’s one of the systems that can automatically happen and can also be controlled. The practice of breath control (Pranayama in Sanskrit) improves lung function. In so doing, it calms the nerves, settles the mind, relieves physical pain, and feeds the body increased oxygen to improve our general condition.

As a society, we are notorious for shallow, irregular, raggedy breath. Correcting this condition can be overwhelming. The practice of the eight limbs of Yoga will eventually and effortlessly bring us to our breath, to the moment, and to our best selves.