by Jolly Kent
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” Thich Nhat Hanh
We usually think of breathing as something that we just do, without any conscious thought. Then again, it might not be as instinctual as we think. After all, babies are usually given a smack to jump-start their breathing once they enter the world. The truth is that breathing habits can be learned and changed. Reforming your habits can be difficult, but the results are very rewarding.
Many people think they have the hang of breathing, and to some extent this is very true. Otherwise, they would not be able to live in the manner we have come to think of as normal. Even so, such people might go from the cradle to the grave without ever finding out that they are breathing in a less than optimal manner. In most people, breathing is marked by long inhalations and short exhalations. Breathing in general can be very light and shallow, and is often limited to the upper airways. Very little use is made of the abdomen, and breathing easily becomes erratic during moments of stress.
Your breathing patterns can have a huge impact on your health, especially if you have ailments like asthma, emphysema or cystic fibrosis. In fact, your doctor-prescribed therapy might include breathing exercises. Medicine alone is not enough, and you probably want to avoid surgery as much as you can. By consciously using better breathing patterns, you can live an active life despite the drawbacks of your ailment.
In addition, concentrating on your breathing can instill some much-needed mental discipline. It takes a lot of focus to keep your mind on something that you usually treat as instinctual. The discipline itself will be valuable for you in many aspects of your life: in business, in art, in love. Successful commitment to important things demands that we are able to focus on them, and clamp down on our instinct to be distracted by the latest bright, shiny person or thing that comes down the pipe.
So, what kind of conscious breathing methods are the best?
It really depends on your objective. Some people are after greater physical endurance for playing sports. Others want better concentration and memory for academic or professional success. Then again, there are those people who see breathing as a way to gain more clarity and serenity in the middle of an increasingly mixed-up world. People after the third reason may or may not attach religious significance to their breathing exercises.
If you are planning to take up conscious breathing, it makes sense to get some kind of support. This could take the form of a mentor or practice partner, or you might even invest in some kind of machine to help you breathe better. Conscious breathing does not have to be some kind of chore. It can be a fun, healthy way for you to bond with your friends and family. Also, getting support might help you make your new breathing patterns habitual. (Such is the point of things like support groups. Change is easier if you are not doing it alone.) Try these methods, and see what conscious breathing can do for you.
