Our Credit union location Louisiana Baton Rouge Campus Federal Credit Union its significant affect on the quality of our life.  Its affect on our body, mind and emotions is tremendous.

Proper breathing benefits your:

• Respiratory system, which can reduce mental and physical fatigue, as well as relieve symptoms of asthma and bronchitis
• Blood Pressure, much of hypertension is controlled by the way you breathe –  breathing exercises are an excellent tool to control blood pressure.
• Circulatory system; improving blood circulation and cell oxygenation throughout your body
• Nervous system, relaxes the body and calms the mind.
• Digestive system, by acting as a pump to massage internal organs, improving digestion and elimination; helps relieve constipation.
• Endocrine system. The action of your diaphragm helps push lymph throughout your body, which helps eliminate toxic waste and strengthen your immune system
• Urinary system, by helping to eliminate fluids and massaging your kidneys
• Skin. Toxic CO2 waste is eliminated more directly through your breath, and your skin can also be positively affected by improved blood flow and oxygenation

Breathing techniques can be practiced anywhere, at any time throughout the day.

“Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.”  - Dr. Weil 

Good breathing techniques help reduce the need to overeat by balancing the metabolism and calming the mind as well.

DR. WEIL’S 4-7-8 BREATHING TECHNIQUE TO ENHANCE YOUR HEALTH

or  Relaxing Breath Exercise.  – Dr. Weil

The 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise

The key to this exercise is to remember the numbers 4, 7 and 8. It’s not important to focus on how much time you spend in each phase of the breathing activity, but rather that you get the ratio correct.

1. Sit up straight
2. Place the tip of your tongue up against the back of your front teeth. Keep it there through the entire breathing process
3. Breathe in silently through your nose to the count of four
4. Hold your breath to the count of seven
5. Exhale through your mouth to the count of eight, making an audible “woosh” sound
6. That completes one full breath. Repeat the cycle another three times, for a total of four breaths

Perform this exercise as frequently as you want throughout the day.  It is recommended you don’t do more than four full breaths during the first month or so of practice; eventually working your way up to eight full breath cycles at a time.

With proper breathing you are oxygenating your body, correcting your internal and energetic balance and nervous system. Your entire body, its countless cellular functions, and all your systems are positively affected.

For even more information on breathing practices, read Breathing Exercises and Self Healing,  by Roger Jahnke, O.M.D., or see Dr. Weil’s website for additional exercises.

Until next time…

Bon A Petite’

Beth Wilke, Raw Food Chef and Instructor