The body is spiritual, mental, emotional and physical. Everything in the body is meant to be moving. Stagnation brings inflammation, pain and disease and blocks the body from self correction. Breathing is the constant movement of air in and out of the lungs. It is something we don’t really think about. Our autonomic nervous system handles it. In holistic health, breathing is also the intake and movement of spirit in the body.
John 20:22 NIV–And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”.
“inspiration” means “spirit in”- allowing the spirit to move you
“expiration” means “spirit out”- the end of life
“respiration” means “spirit back and again”- breathing
Breathing is very important in detoxifying our body, calming our mind and bringing down our stress levels. It is essential for effective meditation. Deep belly breathing is the most effective way to completely fill the lungs, however not many people do this. When inhaling, the shoulders and upper chest should not move. All the movement should be in the abdomen and diaphragm.
Try a few cycles of breathing each day and notice the difference in your body: 4 seconds nasal inhales, 4 seconds of hold-ins & 8 seconds of full, slow pursed lip exhales.
Trisha Schmalhofer, CranioSacral and Massage Therapist