Breathing

Breathing

"Of the essentials of preserving life, nourishing the breath has no peer. When the breath is exhausted the body dies."

                                    Zen Master Hakuin (founder of Rinzai Zen)

Breathing, more than any other function, distinguishes life from death. Breathing, in one form or another, is a process shared by all living beings. The ability to breathe enables an animal to produce energy based on gases in the atmosphere – especially oxygen. For us, breathing is of obvious importance, but it is often forgotten and the process and health of our respiratory functions are often neglected.

To maintain life, adequate amounts of oxygen must reach our cells to support the many metabolic reactions that are dependent upon molecular oxygen. Under normal circumstances, the respiratory system is capable of adjusting to changes in the oxygen requirements of the tissues through a variety of regulatory controls. But deprivation of oxygen for only a few minutes results in cell death, brain cells being particularly sensitive to a lack of oxygen. The plants of the earth provide us with the oxygen we need to live, and we in turn provide the carbon dioxide that plants need to convert sunlight energy into carbohydrates and energy. This is the fundamental cycle of life on earth.

Humans discovered long ago that through breath control, their health, well being, inner power, creativity, spiritual power, aging and longevity could all be controlled. Mastery of the breath is at the very center of all yogic traditions and even all spiritual traditions. The path of wisdom is fueled by the breath. Amazingly, however, our modern culture does not fully acknowledge this power and as a result many people fail to take advantage of breath cultivation in their quest for health, well being and longevity.

The Lungs control physical energy

From the Asian perspective, the Lungs control Qi. By increasing and decreasing the rate and depth of respiration, one can control one’s energy.           

If the Lungs are weak, breathing is shallow, constricted or otherwise weak and deficient. If the Lungs are strong and vital, the breathing is long, quiet and deep and the body fills with energy. The development of respiratory power and control is fundamental to radiant health. Regardless of the amount or quality of the food we consume, it will not energize the body if breathing is insufficient, just as a candle will not burn if there is no air available. Oriental masters insist that all sickness is connected in one way or another to insufficient breathing. 

Through breathing we can master the emotions

There is a deep connection between breathing and one's emotional state. The masters of every tradition in the Orient have always taught that through breath control we can master our emotions, the mastery of which is basic to our health and happiness. However, if we have not developed the skill and power to control our breathing, we will remain at the mercy of our lower selves. 

When we are under stress or when immediate problems arise, our emotions instantly influence how we breathe. For example,

·          When we are angry, our breathing becomes rough. 

·          When we are worried or depressed, our breathing becomes shallow. 

·          When we are fearful, our breath becomes frozen. 

·          When we are in disagreement, we take short breaths. 

·          When we are frightened or surprised the power of the breath goes into our inhalation. 

Indeed, the emotions and breathing are one. The art of maintaining one's composure under stress, then, is accomplished through the practice of controlled deep breathing. Even when we become overwhelmed by anger or fear, or become depressed and sad, if the breathing is kept calm and long, then even the most powerful emotion will quickly subside. 

It is for this reason that the meditative and yogic techniques of the East all train the student of life the art of deep breathing. By practicing proper breathing, habits are formed which will be retained in emergencies, the emotions can be controlled and the higher self, Shen, will be in charge. All forms of Zen breathing, Daoist breathing, Yogic breathing, etc. are methods of training the breath so that the practitioner can maintain their tranquility even under great adversity, as well as through the routine difficulties of daily life. These breathing techniques also provide the basis of our spiritual quest.

By training our breathing we can master our inner organs

By training our breathing, we not only learn to control our emotions, but it is also possible to control the inner organs. It is not possible to consciously control our inner organs because they are not under the control of the conscious part of our nervous system. However, nature has provided a loophole for Man that has directly led to his elevation out of the realm of the lower animals and into the elevated being which we call human. The loophole is based on the nature of the human nervous system. 

The nervous system can be divided into two subsystems: the conscious nerves and the unconscious nerves. The conscious nerves are those that allow us to do things consciously, such as sitting, talking, drawing, typing, hitting a baseball, etc. These functions are controlled primarily in the central nervous system. 

However, there are many functions that take place without conscious intervention, such as the beating of our heart, digestion, intestinal peristalsis, immune system activities, blood production and purification, hormonal activities, etc. This automatic activity is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is in charge of the functions of all of the internal organs, and is also in charge of integrating their many functions. The main control center of the autonomic nervous system is in the mid-brain. In the midbrain, all of the functions of the internal organs are integrated. If any of the internal organs are in trouble or malfunction, all of the other internal organs will try to compensate in their own particular way. On the other hand, if any of the internal organs is itself particularly fit, this will benefit the entire internal organ system. 

Like all of the internal organs, the lungs are primarily controlled by the autonomic nervous system. We breathe automatically, without thinking, twenty four hours a day. However, the lungs differ from all of the other internal organs in that a human being has the capacity to consciously  regulate breathing, making it faster or slower, deeper or more shallow, or even suspending breathing altogether for a short while. Only the lungs are under both autonomic and, at will, conscious control. The lungs therefore are the great link in a human being between the unconscious functioning of the organs and conscious control. And since the lungs are linked to each of the other internal organs by the autonomic nervous system, each of the other internal organs can be controlled through conscious breathing. This is the great secret of the yogic masters of the East. 

Daoist Yoga, for example is a system in which a student learns many different specific breathing techniques so that any specific organ or function can be vitalized, harmonized and benefited. My teacher, Sung Jin Park used to do a demonstration of how breathing could influence another organ system. He would have us take his blood pressure. By concentration and by breathing as though he were angry, he could raise his blood pressure very significantly within just a few moments. Then by calming his breath, he would just as easily and quickly lower it to a level even below the baseline at which he started. Yogic mastery of the organs is all done through willful control of the breath.  It would be sufficient if the average person simply realized that by breathing deeply and calmly, many of their vital functions would be much improved.  

The Lungs are the Seat of Wisdom

In the Orient, wisdom is said to derive from the Lungs. Cosmologically the Lungs are associated with the Metal element. The Metal element is associated with the ability to let go of the old while learning the lessons, or, in other words, extracting the essence contained within experiences. Throughout life we are required to face a never-ending set of circumstances from which we can learn the lessons of life. But many people become stuck in the emotion of the actual experience and instead of learning the lessons, become locked in the past. As emotions become habitual, they begin to rule our lives and Shen loses its power. In effect, we become addicted to certain emotional responses and respond throughout our lives like a broken record. 

Deep breathing is the tool of the masters for letting go of old attachments and old emotions, and for extracting the wisdom hidden within the experiences of life. In learning these lessons, we grow and evolve. Eventually, those who have learned the “art of letting go” and extracting the wisdom hidden within each experience will become profoundly wise. Thus the Lungs are said to be the “seat of wisdom.”

Tonic Herbs and Breathing

Many herbs influence human breathing. Virtually every aspect of both external and internal respiration can be influenced by herbs. Tonic herbs have been used for thousands of years to generally tonify the functions of the lungs and the various functions of respiration. The tonic herbs are not specifically medicinal to the lungs. They promote respiratory fitness. Many of the most important herbs used in tonic herbalism are respiratory tonics. Here is a list of the most famous tonic herbs that specifically improve respiratory fitness:

• Agaricus mushroom
• American Ginseng root
• Ashwagandha
• Asparagus root
• Astragalus root
• Codonopsis root
• Cordyceps mushroom
• Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) root
• Fritillaria bulb
• Ganoderma mushroom
• Gecko spine and tail
• Gynostemma leaf
• Licorice root
• Ophiopogon tuber
• Panax (Asian) Ginseng root
• Perilla seed
• Polyrhachis Ant
• Pseudostellaria root
• Rhodiola rosea root
• Schizandra berry
• Tibetan rhodiola root
• Trichopus

Many herbs help rebalance respiratory functions when these functions have become imbalanced. Many herbs have potent anti-inflammatory actions and detoxification actions specifically in the lungs. These more medicinal herbs, however, are not generally used in a long term tonic program and must be supervised by a professional herbalist.

How We Breathe

Breathing is generated by the rhythmic forces of nature. It is an ultimate example of Yin and Yang. Inhalation and exhalation take place at every moment of our lives. Breathing is automatic – we cannot forget to breathe, though we DO forget to breathe deeply most of the time.

Breathing is a function that we can control to an extensive degree – and this is the secret to mastery of the body and mind discovered by the sages and yogis of eras past. But before we get into revealing this secret, let’s look at the basics of breathing and respiration from the materialistic point of view.

Respiration may be defined as the transport of oxygen to the cells from the external atmosphere and the return transport of carbon dioxide from the cells to the atmosphere. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are generally referred to as the respiratory gases, although other gases are present in the air. These other gases certainly play a role in human health. This is evidenced by the fact that administration of pure oxygen at normal atmospheric pressures is toxic after a few hours.

As a result of cellular metabolism, large amounts of carbon dioxide are constantly being produced by the tissues. Small amounts of carbon dioxide are essential for the synthesis of various organic compounds and for the efficient functioning of many cells and organs. However, the accumulation of carbon dioxide is toxic, causing cell death. Most of the carbon dioxide is removed from our bodies by the lungs. Adjustments to the variations in the internal concentration of carbon dioxide are mainly through the homeostatic adjustments of the respiratory system.

Water vapor is an important component of the air we breathe. On warm humid day, the amount of water vapor in the air may rise to as much as 6.2%.

And, according to all yogic traditions, the air also possesses energetic attributes. The Chinese call the energy in the air Qi and the Indians call it Prana. We will discuss this energy in more detail later.

External Respiration

External respiration includes (1) passage of air through the respiratory passages and lungs (ventilation), (2) diffusion of the respiratory gases between the alveoli of the lungs and the pulmonary capillaries, (3) transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the blood, and (4) diffusion of the respiratory gases between the blood and the tissues.

External respiration starts with the air we breathe. The air on the earth is rich in oxygen and naturally slightly moist. If it were not, life as we know it would not be possible. The presence of water vapor in the air naturally dilutes or displaces the other air components as its concentration increases.

As well as carbon dioxide, breathing also results in loss of water from the body. Exhaled air is humid because of water diffusing across the moist surface of breathing passages and alveoli.

Humidity can have a significant effect on respiration. In very warm air (35°C). the proportion of water vapor is significant enough to give rise to the stuffiness that can be experienced in humid jungle conditions or in poorly air conditioned buildings. Breathing dry air can cause such respiratory ailments as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, and nosebleeds, or general dehydration since body fluids are depleted during respiration.

Internal Respiration

Internal respiration, or cellular respiration, may be considered the sum of all the metabolic reactions occurring within the cell that ultimately utilize oxygen and yield carbon dioxide as a byproduct – essential metabolic reactions in the production of energy from food. 

Changes in the composition of the inspired air and changes in the metabolic activities of the body affect the rate and depth of breathing through nervous and chemical feedback mechanisms, maintaining optimal levels of the respiratory gases in the internal environment. 

A constant supply of oxygen to the tissues and cells is essential. An interruption of more than a few minutes can cause cellular death in humans. Some of the energy-requiring reactions of the body can continue for a short time in an anaerobic environment, but when the available stores of energy-rich chemicals such as ATP have been exhausted, no re-synthesis of these chemicals occurs in the absence of oxygen. Oxygen is required by a multitude of reactions throughout the body that are necessary for life. Oxygen is required by all brain tissue to function and even a short period of deprivation will cause irreversible cell death, and in most cases loss of physiological and mental functioning. Oxygen is required by nerve and muscle cells to produce contraction, and thus movement. Oxygen is required by the mitochondria for the reactions that produce energy. Oxygen is required to harness the energy derived from the breakdown of glucose to produce the energy of the body.

Carbon dioxide is the byproduct of these reactions. The accumulation of carbon dioxide to any significant degree is toxic to the cells. The rapid transportation of carbon dioxide from the cells and tissues, and thus the entire body, is essential to life.

Another byproduct of these reactions are free radicals known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Under stressful circumstances ROS are generated through the oxidative metabolism in the mitochondria or as a byproduct of various cytoplasmic oxidizes. These pro-oxidant free radicals must be cleared quickly by antioxidants. The ROS is broken down to oxygen and H₂O₂ (hydrogen peroxide) by the innate antioxidant SOD, or is scavenged with other pro-oxidants, such as nitric oxide. The body produces a range of innate antioxidants such the as superoxide dismutases (SOD), glutathione peroxides (Gpx) and catalase, which devour (scavenge, neutralize) these free radicals as soon as they are produced and clear them out of the body. This innate antioxidant system provides the first line of defense against oxidative stress. To some degree the efficiency and fitness of this innate antioxidant system is dependent upon our diet for minerals and other factors that contribute to this system.

Unfortunately, excessive free radical production or insufficient antioxidant reaction allows some of these ROS to remain in the body. These ROS are extremely toxic and destroy cells and cause degeneration of the body. ROS are strongly associated with all degenerative diseases, infectious diseases and aging.

Tonic herbs in particular nurture and help regulate the innate antioxidant system. He Shou Wu, Reishi mushroom, Goji berries, the Resveratrol found in Muscadine grapes, Schizandra berries, Gynostemma leaf, and other tonic herbs have all been found to stimulate the production and functions of the innate antioxidants as well as providing additional antioxidants that contribute to the scavenging of free radicals in the body.

Antioxidants can be supplemented through our diet. Nature is loaded with antioxidants. Were we to eat a truly clean, natural diet rich in fruits and vegetables, we would ingest large amounts of antioxidants that could contribute greatly to the pro-oxidant/antioxidant dance within our bodies. Certain superfoods in particular are extremely rich in antioxidants and these are said to have a high ORAC value.

Certain edible algae such as Spirulina, hydrilla, chlorella and grass juices such as that from barley, wheat and rye have high ORAC values because they provide high levels of antioxidants that the body can use to counteract free radicals. So do many sea vegetables, sprouts, mushrooms and oils derived from fish and seeds.

Tonic Alchemy is an example of a superfood blend that contains many of the most powerful antioxidants and innate antioxidant stimulators known to mankind.

Breathing provides other benefits

Through breathing, we also detect smell, which is important to our survival and health. We are highly sensitive to a virtually unlimited spectrum of aromas. These aromas may indicate to us that which is desirable and just as easily that which is repulsive, dangerous or toxic. Some smells may significantly influence our health and well being, both in the short and long run. Airborne microbes, toxic gases and various toxic particulates, such as that found in dust and smoke, can adversely affect our health.

Our lungs are designed to protect us from most particulate matter floating in the air we breathe in. They act as a filter, trapping dust, carbon particles, microbes and other organic material. Alveolar phagocytes (white blood cells) reside in the lungs, devouring dust and carbon particles. Unfortunately for humans, smoke particles can accumulate in the lungs just as they would in the filter of a home air filter unit. We cannot just rinse off the lungs once a month. The task of cleansing the lungs is an internal job. The best way to keep the lungs clean is to avoid excessive dust and smoke in the first place. Quitting smoking allows the lungs to gradually clean themselves to some degree, which can have a real impact on ones health and longevity.

Some particles in the air can improve our mood, health and wellbeing, such as the smell of certain essential oils from various plants. Essential oils have profound psychological and therapeutic effects. The smell of pheromones contributes to the propagation of our species.

The Lungs and the Whole Body

The lungs are not an isolated organ. They are responsible for drawing air into the body, filtering it, supplying the filtered air to the blood, absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases from the blood and expelling those gases back into the atmosphere to be recycled. Blood vessels in the lungs are capable of performing these transfers. Nerves in the lungs sense air pressure and the nature of those gases and provide information to the nervous system, which in turn controls breathing. Muscles that surround the lungs, including the diaphragm, the intercostal muscles of the thorax, the abdominal and accessory chest and neck muscles all play a role in breathing. Upon examination, all organs in the body are both influenced by the lungs and influence the lungs.

Blood and breathing

Hemoglobin, a protein contained within the red blood cells, forms a reversible combination with either oxygen or carbon dioxide, depending on the concentrations of these gases in the blood. Blood flows through the lungs through vessels large and small. The lungs are heavily vascularized and it is in the capillaries that the lungs perform the exchange of gases. Blood exiting the heart is red due to the oxygenation of the hemoglobin. Blood entering the heart is purple due to the lack of oxygen.

Pumping the organs

The organs in the thorax are massaged by the “second pump” of the body, the diaphragm. This great muscle moves up and down with every breath, each time pressing then releasing the pressure on all the organs of the trunk of the body. The lungs are obviously moved by this process, but so are the liver, the stomach, the spleen, pancreas, large and small intestines, the kidneys and the bladder. The walls of the body move in and out, up and down with each breath, further massaging the organs. This massage is extremely important to the health of the body. It pushes blood and lymph through the system. This helps feed the body and cleanse it. Strong massaging of this type helps to strengthen and purify the entire body. It is truly tonic breathing.

The nerves and breathing

There are two basic types of respiratory neurons (nerve cells): inspiratory and expiratory. These are dispersed in the mid-brain (in the medulla and the reticular formation). The respiratory cycle consists of a rhythmic alternation of inspiration and expiration. This rhythm appears to be controlled by oscillating circuits between the inspiratory and expiratory centers themselves, and between these centers and coordinating centers elsewhere in the brain (in particular, the pons). These impulses can be modified by higher centers and also by impulses from spinal afferent (incoming) nerves, especially those from the lungs.

The Lungs control the diaphragm,

The diaphragm is a muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. It lies directly below the lungs and heart and just above the liver, stomach, pancreas, spleen and transverse colon. 

The diaphragm is the main muscle of breathing. When it relaxes, passive expiration results, which is sufficient for quiet breathing. If the diaphragm descends just 10 mm, it will increase the volume of the thoracic cavity by a minimum of 250 cc.

As the diaphragm moves up and down, the lungs inhale and exhale bringing oxygen and other gases and molecules into the lungs and eliminating gaseous byproducts of the respiratory process, as well as a significant amount of water and dissolved materials. But what is often not noticed about the action of the diaphragm is that its movement has a tremendous influence on the circulation and other functions of all of the organs of the body. 

Many people consider the heart to be the primary "pump" of the body, but in reality the diaphragm is the “second great pump” of the body since through its action the organs are rhythmically and physically pumped twenty-four hours a day.   

Deep breathing in which the diaphragm is free and active, results in a continuous pumping of all of the abdominal and pelvic organs. This action is essential to maintain free movement of blood and to prevent Qi stasis or blood stasis, which are the causes of many of the disorders in the human body. Poor breathing, in which the diaphragm is not allowed to move freely, invariably results in both Qi and blood stasis. Constipation, for example is attributed to many causes. But the most prominent cause, in reality, is the end result of stress which causes a person to hold their diaphragm tight. 

The rhythmic undulations of the diaphragm continually massage the large intestine, as do the abdominal muscles which move automatically when the diaphragm moves. This constant pushing and pulling, squeezing and expanding greatly aids the eliminative process and takes a great deal of burden off of the colon musculature. If the colon is forced to do all of the moving of material through its canal, it will eventually fatigue and the colon will become chronically or acutely sluggish. This can only be rectified by increasing the Qi of the large intestine, which in reality can only be accomplished by motivating and relaxing the diaphragm so that its movement is strengthened. 

The same is true of the liver, which relies upon the diaphragm for its pumping action.  Blood circulation is not sufficient over a lifetime to keep the liver clean. The gentle, continuous massaging of the liver by the diaphragm is necessary for the liver to remain open. Toxicity of the liver is caused by stagnation of blood in the liver, which can be freed by deep diaphragmatic breathing along with proper work directly upon the liver itself.

The spleen, pancreas, kidneys, uterus and other organs of the abdominal and pelvic cavities likewise rely upon diaphragmatic breathing to continue functioning smoothly over a long period of time. After an emergency, it is natural to breath deeply, not just to bring in more oxygen and rid the body of carbon dioxide, but to pump all of the organs to help cleanse them and to bring new blood, rich in appropriate nutrients and energy sources to them.

Therefore, it is essential that a practitioner of the Oriental healing arts recognizes the fact that diaphragmatic breathing is an absolutely integral driving force for all the functions of the body, and not just an isolated function of gaseous exchange. Diaphragmatic breathing is a function that directly influences every function in the body at every moment of our lives by simple virtue of rhythmic movement. 

The heart and breathing

The heart is intimately associated with breathing. A major function of the circulatory system is to deliver blood rich in oxygen to the tissues and cells of the body, and to carry carbon dioxide away from the sites where it is produced and back to the lungs where it can be eliminated from the body. This is the job of the cardio-respiratory system. The heart receives fresh blood from the lungs and pumps it out to the entire body. The heart, being so intimately connected to the lungs, is extremely vulnerable to smoke from tobacco and other airborne pollutants.

There is a great concept in the Oriental art of radiant health that "Qi leads blood."  This means that wherever Qi flows in the body, blood will soon follow. This is very important to healing. If through visualization, yoga, breathing, exercise or acupressure we can direct the Qi to a blocked or otherwise depleted area of the body, blood circulation to that area will soon follow. The blood contains nutrients and oxygen which can tonify, heal or improve the condition of the area. Habitual deep breathing, acupressure and exercise will assure excellent circulation which will benefit the health if the blood is strong and healthy as a result of a clean, healthy diet and the intake of herbal tonics. 

Furthermore, the heart is said to be the seat of Shen and if breathing can control the emotions, this allows Shen to reign.  When Shen reigns supreme, the heart will be healthy, we will not suffer from nervous anxiety and the practicer will experience life to the fullest. On a more purely physiological level, the lungs and heart are often deficient together so that a person may experience dyspnea (difficult breathing) and heart palpitations upon slight exertion. This is the basis of the modern cardio-respiratory therapy and aerobic training. But an even better approach is to practice the time tested yogas of the Far East, and we recommend very strongly looking into Qi Gung (Ki Kong in Korean), the ultimately evolved yoga of China and Korea.

The Lungs control the skin

The skin has important respiratory functions in humans, just as it does in other animals.  If there is an abundance of free flowing Qi, the skin opens and closes appropriately to adapt to changes in the weather.

The lungs have a profound influence over the skin.  Any skin disorder, including blemishes and dry skin are aided by balancing the Lung function and improving breathing. The Lungs and the skin are generated by the same tissue in a fetus. Nurturing the lungs improves the condition of the skin, and vice versa. Lung tonic herbs are beneficial to the skin. Schizandra, Ginseng, Cordyceps, American Ginseng and Tibetan Rhodiola are all herbs that tonify the lungs that are also famous for nurturing healthy, beautiful skin. Schizandra in particular is famous as a “beauty herb.” It was used by the concubines in the imperial palace as the herb to preserve their youth, internally and externally.

The Lungs and skin have a thermoregulatory function. 

The skin is responsible in a human being for approximately 87% of all heat radiation, while the lungs are responsible for about 7-8% through expired air. The rest of the bodily heat loss takes place via the urine (which also eliminates some carbon dioxide in the form of urea). This role of the skin and lungs is fundamental to general adaptability to atmospheric changes and can be important when treating febrile diseases. 

The Lungs produce the defensive energy, Wei Qi

The defensive energy, or Wei Qi, produced by the Lungs is of critical importance to one's health. This energy is Yang because it circulates at the surface of the body and supplies the skin with the energy to defend the body against climatic and pathogenic forces that otherwise could penetrate the body and cause damage to the internal organs. Thus the lungs play a major role in the defense energy of the system. Chinese tonic herbs, which are said to be Lung tonics, play a major role in tonifying this Wei Qi. Schizandra, Astragalus, Ginseng, Eleuthero, American Ginseng, Cordyceps and Ashwagandha are all lung tonics that have powerful immune boosting benefits.

The Lungs affect the upper respiratory tract and voice.  

The functioning of the nose and sinuses is an important reflection of the health and fitness of the lungs. If the Lung energy is flowing freely through the nose, the sinuses are clear, the nose is open, and the sense of smell is acute. 

The voice reflects the state of the Lung energy. If the Lung energy is full and vital, the voice will be likewise strong, full and clear. If the Lung energy is full, the speech will be easy and will not tire easily. If, on the other hand, the voice is weak and lacks any force, it is likely that the Lung energy is deficient, in which case you need to increase your dose of tonic herbs and especially lung tonics like Ginseng, Cordyceps and Astragalus.

Breathing at high altitudes

The atmosphere at higher altitudes contains significantly less oxygen. At the higher altitudes of the Himalayas or Heaven Mountain in Central Asia, for example, the oxygen pressure may be 60 mm Hg, compared to 160 mm Hg. at sea level (Los Angeles or New York). A person who is not physiologically acclimated to this condition can experience severe hypoxia (lack of oxygen), and this can be fatal in a matter of minutes, or may result in permanent injury, especially neurologically.

Humans have the capacity to adapt to this high altitude thin air. For example, people who live at 18,000 feet in the Himalayas have increased vital (lung) capacity, an increase in red blood cell numbers and hemoglobin content, and a hyper-vascularization of the tissues. These adaptations produce available more hemoglobin to bind oxygen and thus the oxygen capacity of the blood is increased. These people also show increased carbon dioxide tolerance.

Several tonic herbs have been utilized for centuries by people who live at high altitudes and by those who travel to high altitudes to aid in the adaptation to these extreme conditions. Some of these herbs include Tibetan Rhodiola (various species), Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) and Cordyceps mushroom.

Breathing and Life Cultivation

In the Oriental countries such as Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Southeast Asia and India, time-honored methods of life cultivation have been developed over the period of hundreds of generations. These life cultivation techniques were designed to help the adept master the body and mind so as to attain radiant health and spiritual liberation.

The focus of the training in all these societies was aimed at regulating and controlling breathing. In India, yoga instructs that the purpose of the exercise of inhaling air is to absorb living energy called Prana. Prana means “the vitality which abounds throughout the universe.”

Likewise in China, Korea and Japan, it has long been believed that the purpose of inhaling air into the human body was to absorb powerful energy capable of sustaining life. Breathing has always been held to be of the utmost importance and the ability to control breathing with the higher mind has always been believed to characterize the difference between human and animal.

The relationship between breathing and emotion

There is an old Buddhist saying: “Emotion and breathing are one.”

We humans breathe continuously for as long as we live, typically 18 times a minute, 1,080 times an hour and 25,920 times a day. Breathing is normally an unconscious act, undertaken in response to the body’s physiological need to exchange gases. Various studies on respiration have revealed, however, that there is a close relationship between breathing and a person’s emotional state.

Japanese researchers have established that there is a relationship between changes in actual state of mind and changes in the rate of respiration.

Oriental masters can easily read the emotions of others simply by observing their breathing. This is known as the art of breath reading. The masters know that the ratio of inspiration to expiration in each respiratory cycle is larger when pleasant expressions are made than when unpleasant feelings are expressed.

The masters also know the following:

• When a person’s breathing is long and quiet, they are relaxed.
• When a person’s breath is shallow and tight in the diaphragm, they are worried.
• When a person’s breathing becomes rough and loud, they are angry.
• When a person’s power goes into inhalation, they are surprised.
• When a person’s breaths are short, they are in disagreement.
• When a person’s breath becomes frozen, they are fearful.

The size of a person’s bronchial cavity varies in response to pleasant and unpleasant stimuli.

The Qi Gung or Zen master learns through practice to master their breath. During stressful moments and challenging times, they maintain deep, long, relaxed breathing. This act of balanced deep breathing stabilizes the emotions, which in turn helps them overcome stress by keeping their minds clear and focused, by preventing fatigue, and by reducing stress responses that cause the body to break down.

More on Diaphragmatic Breathing

The pattern of diaphragm movement is highly sensitive to changes in suggested or imagined situations which are capable of evoking forceful emotional responses. Variations in diaphragm movement are directly related to the rate of respiration and to the amount of ventilation which is achieved by each breath. A wide amplitude in diaphragm movement results in deep, slow breathing while a narrow range of diaphragm movement results in a pattern of respiration which is shallow and rapid.

It has been shown that the mere suggestion of a pleasant idea can cause a person’s diaphragm to move in a range of up to 3½ inches, whereas the normal range of movement is only around ½ inch. An unpleasant suggestion can cause the diaphragm to tighten up so that the range of movement is limited to just 1/3  of an inch.

Deep, diaphragmatic breathing results in a substantial increase in total vital capacity. The diaphragmatic range of Japanese adepts have been measured. It was found that those who practiced deep breathing techniques move typically move their diaphragms 3-4 centimeters lower than normal people during the deep breathing exercises. When downward movement of the diaphragm increases by just 1 cm, the capacity of the thorax increases by 250-300 cubic centimeters. Clinical research indicates that, if diaphragm movement increases in both directions, the capacity of the thorax may increase by as much as 1,000-1,2000 cubic centimeters. Each increase in capacity of the thorax is accompanied by a consequent increae in vital capacity.

The vital capacity of an average man in healthy condition is about 400 cubic centimeters. By consciously breathing in as deeply as possible and then expelling as much air as is possible from the lungs, an average man can achieve a vital capacity of about 3,500 cubic centimeters. Those who are highly trained in deep breathing can achieve vital capacity levels of 5,000-8,000 cubic centimeters.

Nurturing the “Center of Life”

Ordinary healthy men breathe approximately 18 times every minute and during that time take in about 7,500 cubic centimeters of air. By comparison, people following a program of breathing exercise breathe approximately 6 times per minute and have a normal ventilatory capacity per minute of about 12,000 cubic centimeters.

Therefore, the deep breathing pattern induced by breathing exercise not only increases normal ventilatory capacity per minute, but also promotes metabolism by substantially increasing the volume of oxygen supplied to and the volume of carbon dioxide extracted from the body.

Thus, through regulated deep breathing a person can increase recuperative powers of the body and make it more resistant to disease by promoting the metabolism and by strengthening the functions of various body organs. By promoting deep breathing, breathing exercise refreshes the body and spirit, invigorates the attitude and stimulates the appetite remarkably.

This takes us back to the area of the brain where the respiratory functions are regulated. This area is located in the occipital region, in an area of the brain known as the medulla oblongata. This respiration center has been referred to as the “center of life” by Asian scientists and philosophers. They suggest that if we can promote the function of this respiration center by engaging in breathing exercise, it could be said that a fountain of life could be found. This is certainly the belief of yogis and sages throughout the centuries.

Consciously breathing in a rhythmic pattern will promote smooth respiratory function, which in turn will stimulate the respiratory center, improving respiratory function and improving physical condition.

Further, and of ultimate importance, this regulation will impact our other organs and functions, including the brain and heart. It will influence our emotions and this will in turn influence our development of wisdom and our spiritual development.

Deep breathing is indeed the secret of attaining longevity, wisdom and well being.

Balancing the Yin and Yang of the body through deep diaphragmatic breathing

All yoga, be it Indian or Chinese, is based on the principle that it is possible to control the balance of Yin and Yang by regulating our breathing

• Sympathetic control contracting of the lungs.
• Parasympathetic controls expanding of the lungs

Controlling the inner organs by controlling our breathing

Likewise, all yoga, be it Indian or Chinese, is based on the principle that it is possible to control our inner organs by regulating our breathing

Through our breathing we can influence all our organs. The lungs are the great loophole for controlling the autonomic nervous system. With our minds, we cannot generally directly control the inner organs – except for the lungs.

As mentioned above, our lungs breathe whether we focus on them or not; however, it is completely within our capacity to control our breathing at will. Breath is life and nature gave us the capacity to control our bodies, our mental state and our psychic state through our breathing. We can master our emotions through breathing. We can master our desires through breathing. We can achieve higher levels of consciousness through breathing.

Aging and Breathing

Those who do not train their breath show signs of respiratory degeneration soon after they enter adulthood. By the time men are in their forties, signs of respiratory senility are often well entrenched. In women, the signs often become significant in their late thirties.

The average sixty year old man does not have the same respiratory vitality as a nine year old child.

It is very important that middle aged people master the techniques necessary to maintain respiratory capacity for as long as possible.

The most effective way to slow down aging is for a person to learn how to maintain a regular respiration cycle and to rejuvenate him or herself by taking regular breathing cycles. This way of exercise is more useful to rejuvenate than outdoor exercises like jogging.

Herbs and Breathing

Tonic herbs like ginseng, cordyceps, astragalus, Siberian ginseng, schizandra and ant all increase our vitality. One of the main actions of these tonic herbs is to increase our respiratory capacity. Simultaneously, they relax the body and mind. They are thus perfect adjuncts to the performance of breath cultivation. For this reason, they have been used by yogis, Daoist and life cultivation masters throughout the Orient since time immemorial. They have been recommended by all these masters to their students who in turn have introduced them to their students.