Nature is full of rhythm. Human anatomy demonstrates many rhythms of life, for example walking, and breathing. These are modulated by your nervous system, on an unconscious, reflexive level. Your nervous system can also modulate itself by its own conscious ability. This means, you can “control” your breathing rhythm too.
Forms of yoga and other meditative “energy training” like qi gong (chi kung) & tai chi use breath control to one degree or another.
Breathwork starts with breath awareness. After that, there are many possibilities. One way to work with your breathing is to work on the ratio of inhale:exhale. The most balanced would be an even ratio, for example 5 seconds inhale : 5 seconds exhale. After that, a next step would be to increase the length/time. As a rule, always proceed patiently, and dyodd.
Whether unconscious involuntary or intentional voluntary breathing, how does your nervous system control your breathing? The simple answer is: it innervates your muscles that move your tissues to change the pressures in your thorax, resulting in inhalations and exhalations, aka respiration.
The rhythm of breathing is modulated in the brainstem. The nerve impulses pass to the various muscles that facilitate the inhalation, foremost the respiratory diaphragm. Exhalation is usually passive, meaning it is the result of the muscles ceasing their contraction, plus the recoil of the tissues that were on stretch (for example the lungs). Exhalation can also be active, where voluntary impulses are sent to muscles that compress the abdomen and thorax. These facts lead to the wide variety of yogic breathing practices that have been developed.
Breathwork continues to become increasingly popular. For years Tony Robbins has used and promoted breathing exercises he does each morning. Wim Hof is on the minds and lips of many people too these days. And many fitness enthusiasts are now familiar with the “stomach vacuum”, or what yogis know as uddiyana. The prevalence of meditation in our collective consciousness (compared to where it was 20 or 30 years ago) is inspiring. Breathwork is a next step.
Meditate better with Complete Breath. If you’re interested and curious for more, on June 17 at 3pm I will be leading a 90-minute online workshop hosted by Beaches Hot Yoga using Zoom videoconference. You will learn some fascinating anatomy relating to the respiratory diaphragm, be introduced to the concept of using your breathing muscles strategically, and we will apply this breathwork to a yin yoga series.
-Julian
Osteopathy, Psychotherapy, Massage Therapy & Acupuncture 