Breathing: A Being Basic

Even though bees don't have nostrils, lungs or gills, they breathe through 10 pairs of valves on their body. These valves, called spiracles, are located on the sides.

Breathing is essential. Your breathing usually does not require any thought, because it is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, a.k.a the involuntary nervous system. Breathing is a motor task that requires coordination at all times, whether we are eating, speaking, exercising, or sleeping. The breathing muscles are controlled automatically from the brainstem during normal breathing but can also be controlled voluntarily from the motor cortex. is a complex process that must be carefully managed.

In pelvic floor therapy, one of the first exercises I was assigned was breathing. You can’t get more back to the basics than that. The therapist blew my mind when she explained, “Imagine your lower torso like a canister; the top is your diaphragm, the walls are comprised of your abdominal muscles, oblique muscles, and back muscles, and the bottom is your pelvic floor muscles.” Obviously, I know that exists. It was surprising how it felt to think of that while breathing and noticing the effects fully inflating and deflating my lungs have on that canister. Usually, I was really only aware of my rib and abdominal movements even when concentrating on my breathing. Have you ever been told that? It got me thinking about other breathing techniques, I remember hearing of the breath of fire in a yoga class, and my mom has always suggested a nice deep breath in stressful moments, but there are literally zillions of breathing techniques to try (with clearance from your medical care team if there’s any question).

Fun Bee Fact: Even though bees don’t have nostrils, lungs or gills, they breathe through 10 pairs of valves on their body. These valves, called spiracles, are located on the sides.
FlowHive

Breathing Techniques:

Box Breathing Technique– It can heighten performance and concentration while also being a powerful stress reliever.
4 7 8 Breathing Technique– The exercise helps regulate the hormone cortisol, which controls your fight or flight response. This is important because too much cortisol being released in your body too often can have negative long-term health effects.
555 Breathing Technique– Inhale very slowly through your nose for 5 seconds: 1-2-3-4-5. Exhale very slowly through your nose or mouth for 5 seconds: 1-2-3-4-5. Wait for 5 seconds: 1-2-3-4-5. Repeat the process three more times (1 minute total).
Bee Breathing Technique– Bhramari (Bee Breath) is a very effective meditation pranayama (breathing exercise). Performing this breathing exercise helps to induce a calming effect on the mind almost immediately. Practicing Bhramari pranayama benefits in reducing high blood pressure, fatigue, and mental stress.

Practiced or concentrated breathing is thought by some to be a pathway to enlightenment. These folks suggest that allowing your attention to use your lungs and breathing as a focal point for your present existence in reality, as a musician may use a metronome. Shooketh.

Breathing keeps us alive, yet we so often forget that we are even doing it. Even still “losing our breath” is dangerous and finding moments and tools to “catch our breath” is critical to overall health and well-being. This reminds us that if we are more aware of our physiological functioning, maybe we can tap into what else reality holds for us.

Big fluffy bumbly-bee heading for a flower.

I find right at waking up or just before falling asleep, I am more capable of taking a few moments to take a conscious attempt at focusing attention on a different place. Asking myself, “What is the intention of your attention?” Using breath to focus my attention on being in that moment in my body. Brilliantly being is about authenticity and there is no greater tool in authenticity than being centered and connected in our physical bodies.