Breathing Therapies
Before defining the concept of breathing therapy, we must start from the fact that in the case of breathing therapy we do not simply have to talk about breathing. By breathing practice, we mean the practice and cultivation of conscious breathing in order to achieve a certain goal. When studying Eastern cultures, we can conclude that all yoga, chi kung, and tai chi schools considered breathing to be more than simple gas exchange. They viewed it as a method suitable for absorbing cosmic energy and directing it in the body. According to the Western understanding, breathing therapy is suitable for influencing important physiological processes.
The goals of breathing exercises are:
- changing the state of consciousness (we will discuss this in detail later)
- influencing physiological processes. Breathing can activate energy in the human body, which has a healing effect on our physical body, soul, and well-being. We can reduce pain and get rid of it through breathing. With this energy, we can change a frustrated, depressed state into a pleasant, good mood.
- experiencing and inducing mystical, religious experiences. Experiencing the mortal man meeting the Creator.
- establishing contact with cosmic energies. The energies flowing in the practitioner’s body enter a cooperative relationship with the Cosmic energy.
Physiological effects of breathing exercises:
- breathing becomes slower and deeper
- dead space ventilation decreases
- respiratory muscle function becomes harmonious and coordinated
- oxygen and energy consumption of respiratory muscles decreases
- abdominal breathing improves
- unnecessary respiratory movements are eliminated
- physiological indicators of breathing improve
- blood gas values improve
- heart rate decreases
- cardiac output increases
- physical performance increases
- favourable psychological effects are achieved
Effects of breathing exercises on the nervous system:
By emphasizing inhalation, the tone of the sympathetic nervous system can be increased (stimulating), and by emphasizing exhalation, the tone of the parasympathetic nervous system (inhibitory, calming). Those psychological processes that affect the vegetative regulation of breathing can be regulated by breathing. Breathing can relieve psychological conditions such as anxiety, withdrawal, and depression. Muscle tone, breathing, and the state of the nervous system are connected in the reticular formation. Their interaction is thus ensured. Breathing exercises relieve tension not only in the nervous system, but also in the muscles.