Because breath is the only system in our body that is both fully controllable, and fully automatic, by learning to work with our breath we can tap into the autonomic nervous system and affect our body's chemistry.
Dr Andrew Weil, MD, in his lecture "Breathing: The Master Key to Self-Healing" talks about the vast health improvements he's seen his patients go through when they incorporate simple breathing techniques, as little as 5 min/ day, into their daily routine. These included, weight control, improved circulation (no more cold hands!), relief from anxiety and depression, improvement in heart-irregularities including atrial fibrillation, reduction in digestive upset including bloating, constipation, and irritable bowel, cancer remissions, allergies, and a variety of other health-concerns large and small that dissipated over time with short but persistent use of breath-techniques.
By influencing our breath, we can affect our moods, digestion, immune system, hormones, and circulation. Ultimately, we can control our health with breath.
In yoga for better digestion we use yogic breath techniques and gentle postures to retrain your diaphragm and lungs to breath deeply and fully, relaxing your body, increasing oxygen, improving circulation, and putting your health back into your hands... and your lungs!
Our breath is indeed the master key to health.
I encourage you to come learn to breathe for your best health and wellness.
So far we've seen some amazing results from these techniques in improving digestive flow, producing abundant energy, revitalizing skin, increasing circulation, and creating overall feelings of well-being. Come join me for a breath-focused Yoga for Digestive Health session, or pass along this information to someone you love who may benefit from learning to breathe for optimal health.
-Sarah
sarah@innertruthyoga.org
(604)726-6967