The respiratory system is an amazing process by which the
body takes air from the environment into the body to feed the blood and cells
with oxygen, and then expels air containing carbon dioxide and toxins back out
into the atmosphere. This process is
called gaseous exchange. This takes
place in the lungs. The complete process
involves the nasal passages, the pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs and
muscles; diaphragm, external and internal intercostals, transverse abdominal,
scaleni and stationmasters.
The physiology:
Inhalation: The diaphragm contracts and flattens; this
reduces the pressure in the chest cavity thus increasing the volume of the
lungs. Air is drawn in to equalize the
pressure. Inhalation comes as a natural
result of a full exhalation.
Exhalation: The diaphragm relaxes and rises, the pressure in
the chest cavity reduces and the air is forced from the lungs.
In yoga, the breath is the vital link between the mind and
the body. Basic breathing does not
contain ratios or restrictions, the purpose behind basic breathing is to
establish a practice for life; using the breath to manage your response to
situations, particularly in challenging or stressful situations, and to help
relaxation.
These practices include; simple breath awareness, nostril
breathing, linking breath to movement, lengthening the breath, the complete
yoga breath.
The Yoga Breath
In yoga a complete breath has 3 physiological phases;
Diaphragmatic (abdominal)
Thoracic (ribcage)
Clavicle (upper chest/collar bone)
These phases need to be experienced independently. When this skill is achieved, the breath needs
to move in one smooth wave.
Inhale – abdominal – thoracic – clavicle
Exhale – clavicle – thoracic - abdominal
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