Breathing for better health, self-esteem, focus, and drive
Breathing exercises from different traditions share the same goals: to improve physical and mental health and extend and raise awareness. When we practice abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing, we activate and enhance the function of our organs. We can breathe in different ways: consciously connected or with a focus on energy circulation(Taoist approach), or in a state of hyperventilation. By hyperventilation and holding our breath, we adjust the activity of neurotransmitters in our brains. Various breathing techniques optimize the synthesis and activity of neuromodulators such as dopamine, adrenaline, noradrenaline, GABA, acetylcholine, etc., and directly impact the immune system, enhancing alertness or calmness, focus, or relaxation. These neuromodulators protect the brain, slow down degeneration, and may prevent degenerative brain disorders. Even though there are several preventive nutritional and behavior-based strategies for brain degeneration, undeniable scientific evidence shows that breathing practices have immunity-strengthening, stress-reducing, brain-protecting, and restoring benefits. During breathing practices, the brain’s chemistry changes, leading to a state of elevated awareness, improvements in mood and focus, motivation and drive, performance, and the general quality of life. I invite you to explore different breathing techniques in a workshop series where you can learn breathing meditations from old traditions and Western adaptive techniques as well.