Essential 4 Series: Breathing Methods - Tai Chi I

When people ask me how I started on this path to health, I reply by saying, "Yoga saved my life" and then I talk about how I finally connected with Yoga. While Yoga did save my life, it's not the first thing that got me on the path to wellness. I learned how to properly breathe way before I met up with Yoga.

The year was 1995...it was early in the year. It wasn't quite Spring yet but Winter was definitely over. To put it plainly, I was a serious pothead then. I also loved Kung Fu Movies. Watching the "Drive In Movies" on Channel 5 in Brooklyn was my Kung Fu fix...but I never even took a karate class.

Cover of Tai Chi Master

So back to 1995, I was hanging out with my friends one day, smoking (which was the usual back then), when one of my friends started talking about Kung Fu. I mentioned that I loooved Kung Fu movies and how much I always wanted to learn Tai Chi (by this time, I was a huge Jet Li fan...my favorite movie then was called the "Tai Chi Master"...so I was really open to what my friend had to say). My friend then said to me, "want to learn some Kung Fu right now?"

All of us...all 12 of us, immediately perked up. Our excitement seemed to come to a near boil in almost seconds as we all said a resounding "yes", like we were in the Pothead Church Choir. He told us to sit down and listen well.

Now that I look back, I realize that as soon as he said that, I calmed my body. My back became straighter. My shoulders relaxed. My chest, slightly elevated and I could feel my breath. I couldn't control what I didn't know about but I can safely say that I did notice something had changed. The air, maybe?

When everyone else sat down, I also noticed that he looked at me the most when speaking. I didn't think much of it back then, I just chalked it up to me starting the convo leading to this so I seemed the most eager to learn. I didn't know what I was going to feel. Tell you the truth, I didn't expect to feel anything. I thought it was all going to be BS.

He told us to fix our legs. "Do not cross them. Let them spread hip distance apart. Don't let your knees fall too far in or too far out. Let your hips control your legs. Sit up straight." The others already started to feel bored. The looks on their faces was a dead giveaway to what was to come. I gave them a look that calmed them down...at least long enough for me to see what was really good.

"Bring your palms together." We all did it at the same time (maybe you should try this too ). "Now rub your palms until they become really hot. When they feel hot, rub them some more. When they are super hot, just separate your hands and watch what happens."

I rubbed my hands really hard. They started to burn when I separated them. I took a huge breath in and when I exhaled, my hands moved! I felt...a charge...it was a little electric almost. I took a huge breath in and my hands came closer. When I exhaled again, my hands separated further! I had no control over my hands what so ever but they still moved. I realized that with every breath, my hands moved further and further apart. What felt like a straight stream of energy now felt like an arch. As my hands opened up and towards the sky, it was as if I felt a rainbow in my hands.

And then it left. (don't forget to click the "Read More" link at the bottom of this post to continue)


I looked up at the sky as if I could actually see this feeling float away. I didn't see anything. I looked around at my friends. They were amazed at what they were feeling. Some of them were dismayed because they didn't feel it for too long. A few (only 2) didn't feel anything at all. I wasn't the only one who had my experience. There were 3 of us who did and we were straight buggin out!!

I asked my friend what kind of Kung Fu that was. He smiled and then laughed. All he needed was long hair and a flowing beard and he would have been able to call me "grasshopper" and I would call him "Sifu" (Chinese for "Master"). He told me to sit down again. What he told me after this would be the catalyst to changing my life forever:

What you felt was not Kung Fu, persay. What you felt was Chi. The essence of Kung Fu. The essence of Life. You have heard of Chi from the Kung Fu movies but have you ever felt it? (I nodded my head yes...I never felt it in my hands like that but I have felt it before). If you cannot feel your chi, then there is no reason for you to learn Kung Fu. None whatsoever.

I want you to start reading books on Chi. Chi is the life essence, your spirit, your soul. It is a part of the universal soul. There are many names for it. Chi is air but Air is not Chi. Get a book and read it. Then come back to me when you are done and tell me what you have learned.

The first book I purchased is called "The Essence of Tai Chi." With this book, I learned many things. The most important was how to breathe.

Before understanding the concept of breath, I wanted to know exactly what Tai Chi is. The name Tai Chi means "the ultimate" (pg. 6). But the ultimate what? Reading the book further, I came to understand that Tai Chi was regarded as the ultimate "art" - whether it was martial art, a healing art, or a spiritual art.

According to Tai Chi principles, which come from the book the T'ai Chi Bible, there are three forms of chi - all which come from the breath and can be manifested, grown, and maintained with the breath - chi, jung, and shen.

Chi is similar to prana (the term for "breath" and "lifeforce" in Sanskrit) in that it is considered that Chi is everywhere. According to The Essence of Tai Chi (pg. 33), "ch'i is...commonly known as the nature of things." "According to Tai Chi theory, the correct meaning of chi is..."internal energy." (pg. 34)


Jing is the power that is generated by chi.(pg. 35) Li is the physical strength resulting from body movement. (pg. 36) I understand how the terms work but want to explain it to you in the best way possible. So let me explain it this way:

If you strike a punch, the force that is released is a result of Li. However, if someone were to attack you and you were able to throw them on the ground with little physical force (or with your hand, like in the kung fu flicks), then that is Jing because you have the same power but without the physical strength.

Recently, I worked out at Embora Wellness and Movement Studio (which is no longer). I did a class with Emory Moore and he wanted us to do certain exercises that included martial arts and yoga techniques. As I was doing these exercises, I wasn't getting the full effect he was looking for. He explained to me that with Yoga, you keep the prana (or chi) inside. Everything stays inside. Martial Arts and Tai Chi is different because sooner than later, that chi needs to come out. You create the internal energy and let it out externally.


It was at that point, I realized that Emory was working with Chi, Li and Jing. However, I wanted something different.


I began to understand that I wanted to achieve shen, which means spirit. According to The Essence of Tai Chi, "when chi is purified, it elevates to shen." (pg. 35) Yoga Asana maybe similar to li and but at the end of the day, Yoga wants you to have shen - connection to your spirit, your true nature.


According to Tai Chi theory, meditation helps you to become aware of your chi (pg. 37) and condensed breathing helps to convert chi to jing (and yes, it's very similar to certain pranayama techniques - pg. 42).


Of course, I have more to talk about in regards to Tai Chi but I'll leave it here for now. Next time, I'll talk more about Tai Chi and its relation to Yoga. I'll also talk about certain Tai Chi practices you have to watch out for (especially in regards to breathing), how to increase your awareness of chi, and my experience with different Tai Chi forms.


Yeah, I know...it took me long enough to write this but better late than never!

So until next time....stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!

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• Lower Dan Tien (clearstaichi.com)

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Movements VIII

Greetings Everyone!

I always have a lot going on (as you can see in my other Movements posts) but a lot of them have not come to fruition as I have expected. So I decided that I would keep the Movements post to a minimum - I don't want to give out plans that may have fallen through, on my account or due to changes beyond my control.

With that in mind, it's time for me to give you some of my movements and these things are going on or will happen right now:

• Yoga Teacher Training is almost over. I graduate on Jan. 10 and my qualifying is on Jan. 5. I just finished my written final and right now my biggest challenge will be on Sunday, getting Yoga Nidra and Pranayama right.
  
• On Jan. 16, I will be doing a lecture on "The Science of Yoga." This will be held at GMHC (Gay Men's Health Crisis), in New York City, and is sponsored by Circle of Voices, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides multi-cultural, artistic, and informative events for women of color and African Descent. This "Do Better, Live Better" series is geared towards Lesbian and Bi-sexual Women of Color but all are welcome. More details to come shortly

Well, that's about it folks...so far, so good. I still have a lot of things to catch up on regarding this blog (like the last part of this Breathing Series...I'm ready to talk about Water! ) as well as cleaning more of my house but everything will occur in due time. I'm going to let "Divine Consciousness" take my hand and lead me where I should be at this point in time. I hope you do the same, every once in a while.

Until next time...stay strong, stay healthy and fight dis-ease!

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The Essential 4 Series: Breathe Better Methods III

"When the mind is still, it can truly listen to what the body needs to say."

- Jill Satterfield, Vaijra Yoga

My blog talks a lot about Mind-Body-Spirit Wellness. This, after all, is the crux of holistic health. There are many modalities of wellness and holistic health and the one thing that makes them have that mind/body/spirit connection is Meditation. The benefits of meditation are bountiful. Meditation is all about using your mind to practice mindfulness. However, meditation can also be used as medicine - to help aid and alleviate many symptoms of various dis-eases, such as cancer. Meditating is also a great way to incorporate or enhance spiritual practice—when the mind and body are calm, it's easier for your"spirit" and the "universe" to connect with each other in a more metaphysical way.

The art of meditation, which comes in many forms, has been practiced for over 5000 years. Most religions, including Islam, Judaism and Christianity , use concentration meditation,paying attention to a particular object - physical or otherwise, like a repetitive prayer. Examples of this are Mala beads, which are used in Hindu/Buddhist traditions and Rosary Beads, which are used in Christianity.

Every morning, I walk down this small path to reach the subway station so that I can go to work. When I come to this small path, I say this prayer over and over: Give thanks and praise unto the Most High, in the name of his son Jesus Christos. Give thanks and praise unto the Most High, for all things.
 
As I recite this prayer, I pay attention to my words and my posture. I look at the trees and other people as I walk down this path and repeat this prayer. I have been doing this for years and it is only within the past 9 months, that I realized this is a form of concentration meditation. Prior to that time, I would say this prayer while listening to music or talking to someone else. Now, I don't put on the music or talk to anyone.

One purpose of meditation is to "reach a calm state of mind" [1]. When your mind is doing so many things at once, it's hard to keep focused on one thing. In this day and age, even if you can focus on one thing, your concentration is typically not 100%. You're still multi-tasking, in some way, shape or form. "Do I have time to wash dishes, do the laundry, and cook when I get home?" "I gotta pick up the kids when I get home." "I'd rather be at home sleeping." These are only a few of the thoughts that enter your mind as you are "focused" on work or whatever you are currently doing at the moment.

Mindfulness meditation is slightly different from concentration meditation. In mindfulness meditation, one sits "comfortably and silently, centering attention by focusing awareness on an object or process (either the breath, a sound, a mantra, a visualization or exercise)" [1].

The breath is the central focus of mindfulness meditation. The breath or a mantra, (for instance) keeps you "in the present moment." It is not uncommon for your mind to have many thoughts and images while you meditate. As you concentrate on your breath, you are able to let these images or thoughts pass through your "vision," without having any attachment to whatever it is that your mind brings up.

When you first meditate, you may think it's not working. You may think "meditation doesn't calm my mind because my mind seems busier now that I'm meditating!" This may not make sense at first but it makes perfect sense but your new found awareness of how busy the mind truly is is the first step in reaching that calm state. There will be times when your mind will wander and you become attached to whatever thoughts pass through. The way to detach yourself from whatever emotions or feelings may arise with the visions that appear is to focus on the breath. Once you focus on the breath, it's easier to let go of any attachment. Once you can let go of the attachment to whatever emotions arise, you can look at a situation from a different standpoint. You may be better able to understand a situation that troubled you and then better understand yourself!

Meditation was very difficult for me when I first started. I had a difficult childhood. I went through so many things that I became good at repressing my memories. When I first started to meditate, a lot of images came to mind that seemed very foreign. I was scared. "Why are these things coming into my mind?" For a while, I believed that I was a bad person for that thoughts that arose during those first attempts at meditation. Once I started to go to more Yoga classes, especially those that focused on meditation rather than asana, I began to understand that the images that came to my mind were repressed memories. 

My mind wanted me to come to terms with these memories and experiences. At the time, I wasn't ready to face them but as I continued to meditate, I let the memories flow through and I was finally able to confront the events that shaped my childhood. Meditation, for me, opened the door to forgiveness - not only the process of forgiving others, but more importantly, the process of forgiving myself. Meditation is a great way to "let go" of the past and keep what serves and works for you (in the present and future tense).

One of my favorite methods of meditation is walking meditation. Walking meditation is a form of meditation is action [2]. As you meditate, your focus is on walking, breathing, and posture.

Before I continue to talk about walking meditation, I would like to explain the connection between breathing and posture. Even if you are doing a sitting meditation, posture is highly important because if you maintain proper posture, your breathing is at optimal levels. Oxygen can flow through the body and to cells with ease, healing you mentally and physically.

Now that you understand the connection between breath and posture and meditation, you can understand why walking meditation is more intense than any of the sitting or kneeling meditations and prayers. In walking meditation, you are more aware of your body because it is moving. There are so many things to pay attention to and appreciate. The average person may become frustrated with a walking meditation. I know people that have tried it and have complained that there are just "too many distractions." The beauty of walking meditation is becoming aware of not only things outside of us but how our inner selves relate to these external objects - observing how you feel when you look upon something you find beautiful.

I don't agree with those who think that there are 'too many distractions' when doing a walking meditation. Wherever I do my walking meditations, I am amazed and truly appreciate the silence and the noise that comes with nature. I pay attention to the rain drops or the sunshine. I appreciate the wind as it blows through the trees that provide me with oxygen as it takes my carbon dioxide, adding to the cycle of life. All of these things bring more love into my heart. I feel compassion for people as I walk and see them interact in loving ways.

Another reason why I love walking meditation is because I'm not the best at doing Lotus Pose (go figure! ) I can't quite explain it but after 20 minutes, my body wants to get up and move. My breathing helps me focus and relax my mind, yet my body wants to get up and I can't explain why. So...I might as well do a walking meditation! Besides, it never hurts to get some physical exercise while I calm my mind.

As I mentioned a little bit previously, those that suffer from severe depression or any related illness should NOT meditate, unless given permission by a licensed therapist, doctor, or other valid professional. Even if you suffer from mild depression (as I do from time to time), it's better for you to meditate with a light or your eyes open. The book Yoga as Medicine explains this very well:

Like Pranayama, meditation may not be appropriate (or even possible) for people who are very anxious and depressed. Anyone with clinical depression, a history of schizophrenia, or other serious psychological problems should consult a mental health professional before beginning a meditation practice.

Usually, when you meditate, there is only natural light. Some people like to meditate in the dark - it gives a feeling of complete stillness. However, if you suffer from depression or a similar illness, it's harder to handle what comes to mind. It's not as easy to keep focus and awareness of staying outside of the feelings, emotions, or visions you see. For this reason, it's easier for people in this situation to either meditate with their eyes open, fixated on a particular point for focus OR closing their eyes, but having a bright artificial light behind them so that it still seems like their eyes are open. For a long time, I had to meditate with my eyes open. Now, I can keep my eyes closed for longer periods of time. 

From a medical standpoint, meditation and pranayama are very effective against many dis-eases, including cancer, heart disease and AIDS. At least 80% of all stress sits in your fat cells. This is because the stress hormone, cortisol, increases the urge to eat and "the laying down of fat in the abdomen[4]." According to the book Yoga as Medicine, "Stress hormones not only raise blood pressure/heart rate...it causes your blood to clot easier, which can lead to heart attacks." Your body also carries emotional strains of the past, turning it into physical pain. This is especially true for women and their reproductive organs. Since "meditation and pranayama techniques fight stress by calmin the nervous system, muscles, and emotions," many symptoms caused by major dis-eases such as cancer can be alleviated or dispelled altogether. In the case of women/reproductive system, this is not going to completely cure your PMS but it will help you better cope with symptoms associated with it.

After my initial issues with meditation, I was able to meditate with my eyes closed. I would see the visions, thoughts, memories and let them pass with ease. However, a question kept coming to mind once I was done: What do I do with this information? It's easy to relive moments that appear in your mind and become active in them, letting your mind become a part of that emotion and relinquishing control to them. Remember, this is not the purpose of meditation. It's not the purpose to think about these things after meditating and getting upset, sad, etc. either. Most of us will analyze and process the information (which is neither bad nor good until your perception comes into play) in a positive way by using the information to help them when these situations arise in the future. The art of processing can enable us to gain insight into methods of maintaining this "freedom." Various methods include but aren't limited to: Yoga, prayer, a walking meditation, a Self-Help book/Workshop, or Tai Chi.

Before I go, let's reintroduce you to Matt Stokes' quick tips. Here's #3:

White Rice Vs. Brown Rice

Brown rice is a whole grain and white rice is not. 

Simply put, white rice is brown rice with the two outer layers stripped away. 

We need these layers to slow down the release of sugar into our bloodstream.

When sugar is released quickly into our bloodstream it leads to energy swings (ie: "sugar crashing") and, more seriously, diabetes (type 2).

Obviously, white rice isn’t the only thing leading to these adverse affects.  Anything with a good amount of sugar/corn syrup/sugar substitutes/simple carbohydrate can do this. 

Avoid an overabundance of these things and go with brown rice or whole grains when you can.

Courtesy of

YaaaY! I did it! I'm so proud of myself...and now it's time to start with the next blog, which will definitely be on Tai Chi. So until next time....

stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease! 

References:
[1] Wikipedia. July 15, 2008, http://en.wikipedia/org/wiki/Mediation
[2] Wildmind Buddhist Meditation. July 15, 2008, http://www.wildmind.org/walking/overview
The New Kadampa Tradition - International Buddhist Union. July 15, 2008, http://www.how-to-meditate.org/breathing-meditations.htm
Tim McCall, MD, Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing, Bantam Publishing, July 31, 2007, pgs. 68-70, 98, 338

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The Essential 4 Series: Breathe Better Methods II

Greetings Everyone!

Let's see...I've been using the Neti pot for the past week. At first, I was a little creeped out because I'm so used to breathing through my nose that I thought that I couldn't breathe out of my mouth while doing this thing. But it's so easy, it's not even funny! The Neti pot is safe enough to use daily (only once per day please) and start of with 1/4 teaspoon of un-iodized salt (most companies that make the pot will also provide the salt to be used). Some Neti pot manufacturers and Yogis recommend that you use 1/2 teaspoon and that's fine. I'll graduate to that soon. I'm happy with the level of cleaning I'm getting right now.

In the last blog, I also mentioned that I'm going to start this part of the series with Yoga. I'm not going to disappoint. Let's go:

Asana

In the May 2008 issue of Yoga Journal, they have an article that shows you 9 poses for stuffy sinuses. Marla Apt takes you through a therapeutic Iyengar Yoga sequence. Iyengar uses a lot of props, including blankets, blocks and chairs in their methods. It will be too much for me to go through each pose (asana) and explain it fully but I will give you a list of the poses and you can go to Yoga Journal's Pose Browse Index to see how they look.

I will mention some quotes that come from this article which I feel are very important for anyone that wants to use Yoga as a vehicle for better breathing, regardless of their level:

"In all of the poses (in the sequence), it's crucial to get the proper action of the shoulder blades: They should move away from your head and forward toward your chest. When the shoulder blade action falls into place, you will feel a sense of spaciousness and relaxation in the neck and shoulder region, which will encourage the sinuses to open."

"Apt recommends breathing normally, because deep breathing can aggravate blocked sinuses."

"Yoga can't eradicate your allergies altogether, but it can provide some immediate relief that you'll feel in the form of less pressure in your head, more relaxation in your neck and shoulders, and a sense of spaciousness behind your eyes, forehead, and cheeks." (pg. 77)

Here is the list of poses in Ms. Apt's Iyengar Sequence:

1. Balasana (Child's Pose)
2. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose)
3. Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)
4. Supta Virasana (Reclining Hero Pose)
5. Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana (Two-Legged Inverted Staff Pose)
6. Sirsasana (Headstand) This pose is NOT for beginners or for those with neck injuries, according to Ms. Apt. For beginners, I would suggest that if you want to do Headstand, go to a class or have a private session with a competent teacher. If you have a minor neck injury, make sure to use a blanket to properly hold your head and do it against a wall so that you don't injure myself.
7. Chatush Padasana (Four-Footed Pose)
8. Salamba Sarvangasana (Supported Shoulderstand) Ladies, any competent teacher will tell you NOT to do Headstand nor Shoulderstand 2-3 days before your menses and about 2 -3 days after. It will most definitely bring it down sooner. ;)
9. Halasana (Plow Pose)
10. Savasana (Corpse Pose)

A few things to know before you try this sequence:

• These poses are listed in the order of the sequence.
  
• Each pose can be held up to 5 minutes, with the exception of Four-Footed Pose. You should hold this pose from 20 seconds to 1 minute.
  
• Savasana (or some variation) should be done after any and every sequence you do. No matter what that sequence is.
  
• If you cannot find a particular pose in the link provided, look it up on Google. Using the English version of the pose should help you find it quickly.
  

Pranayama (pray-nah-yah-mah)

Yoga works primarily with the energy in the body, through the science of pranayama, or energy-control. Prana means also ‘breath.’ Yoga teaches how, through breath-control, to still the mind and attain higher states of awareness. The higher teachings of yoga take one beyond techniques, and show the yogi, or yoga practitioner, how to direct his concentration in such a way as not only to harmonize human with divine consciousness, but to merge his consciousness in the Infinite. – Paramahansa Yogananda

In a previous post (click here to see it), I explained how to breathe properly and the concepts of breath in Indian and Chinese traditions. Pranayama is a method of controlling your breath (which opens up infinite possibilities). Swami Satchidananda explained it best in his book, The Breath of Life: Integral Yoga Pranayama (Level I and Level II):

While pranayama helps improve physical health and well-being, that is a secondary benefit; the main benefit is control of the waves of the mind through regulation of prana. (pg. 8)

While doing pranayama exercises, you "supercharge the blood with extra oxygen...oxygen is life, so that means you are enriching your blood with a lot of life" (Satchidananda, pg. 10). Even though I learned how to heal myself using Tai Chi breathing methods, I learned a whole lot more once I started doing Yoga with Pranayama Exercises. Pranayama also stimulates the nervous system and purifies them for "optimal output and functioning" (Satchidananda, pg. 11).

Pranayama practice is also vital to a sound meditation practice. I will go into further detail with this when I talk more about meditation in a later post.

In order for you to do Pranayama properly, you need good posture (remember that?). Whether you are sitting in a Lotus Pose, standing or sitting in a chair, good posture is needed from head to toe or your breathing will suffer. You won't be able to breathe as much air as you can and you might actually hurt yourself (I also mentioned that you should be very careful with Breathing exercises and technniques...this is why). I'll let Swami Satchidananda speak for me:

However you are seated, either in a chair, on a cushion, or on the floor, please make sure that the legs are comfortable and that the spine is completely erect. The head should be straight, the shoulders back, but relaxed. Arms should be gently placed on the knees, or at your side, and relaxed. Make sure that there is no tension or leaning to any one side. A straight, steady posture is ideal. If the posture is crooked, a lot of the benefit will be lost. If it's too crooked, it can be harmful to do pranayama. While inhaling, the chest is forced to expand, and if simultaneously the crooked posture restricts it, the system undergoes strain (pg. 16).

In Hatha Yoga (asanas), Pranayama is usually done after asana practice. In some Western forms of Yoga, Poses go first, Pranayama is after and then Savasana is done to complete the class. Even though Pranayama exercises can be done at any point of the day (I usually do one or two when I'm nervous or tense), according to Gurudev (another name for Swami Satchidananda), it's best to do them between 4 and 6AM. He also recommends that "Pranayama should never be practiced soon after eating. Wait at least several hours until the stomach feels light....or if you feel too tired or exhausted."

Since your nasal passages are completely cleaned, using the Neti pot only makes your Pranayama practice better.

Various techniques provide different benefits. However, all of the warnings are the same regardless of the technique. I'll go over some of them with you:

• To derive the maximum benefit, go slowly in developing your practice. Be patient.
  
• Because you are dealing with such delicate organs as the lungs, the heart, and the nerve centers, you should take great care not to strain any part of the system by overdoing your practice. Do everything gently, avoid even the slightest strain, and never hurry.
  
• ...Women suspend the rapid breathing exercises (Kapaalabhaati and Bastrika) during their menstrual period and also for 2 or 3 days afterward. Pregnant women, who are regular practitioners, may continue practice for about the first three months, but leave out Kapaalabhaati and Bastrika therafter.
• If you have high blood pressure or coronary disease, you should not even practice rapid breathing without first consulting your physician (add page here).
  

If you want to see how some of the Pranayama techniques work, look over at the Books to Read section of this blog. I will provide a link that will enable you to buy this book.

I think I have covered a lot for you today. Next time, I will talk about Meditation and segue into Tai Chi. For now, please enjoy Matt Stokes Health Tip #2:

Used Car Salesman

When reading the front cover of any packaged food, realize that it is an advertisement meant to get you to buy the product.

Approach the front label information as if you are listening to a used car salesman.

He/she is only going to tell you the good things about the car you are considering.

Learn to understand the list of ingredients on the back of the package and trust it first.

Example: Margarine is a butter substitute that has less saturated fat than butter. In the process that makes margarine, trans fats are created. Margarine’s claim to fame has always been that it has less saturated fat than butter. It does, but the trans fats are far worse. They are the rust on the car that the used car salesman doesn’t want you to know about.

Courtesy of

Until next time...

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy, and Fight Dis-ease!

References - Satchidananda, Sri Swami (1993). The Breath of Life: Integral Yoga Pranayama Level I and Level II, Buckingham, VA:Integral Yoga Publications, Feretti, A: "Sweet Relief", pages 77-9. Yoga Journal, 2008., click on underlined text for other online references. Picture provided by http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/pranayama/introduction.asp.

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The Essential 4 Series: Breathe Better Methods I

Hey Hey Hey!!

I know I have been gone for a while, but trust me friends, family and viewers...times are a changing! I've been so busy, people have been asking me how I have time for sleep. I do my best to make time, but right now, I have to take care of some responsibilities. One of them is this blog.
As you can see, I've got something new for you. I have smileys! I love them!
I'm so happy to be back in the swing of things and ready to help you with your health. I'm going to introduce new formats and more to my health blog. Hope you're ready!

Continuing from my last post, the "sniffles" are gone. Some herbal tea and rest kicked that to the curb. I have been working hard and making decisions regarding my career and future. My grandma is making progress but is still on life support. I am making progress too.

Last weekend, Friday and Saturday, it was over 75 degrees in NYC. As I walked through the streets of Brooklyn, I noticed something that caught my eye. Roy Ayers' "A Lovely Day" started to play through the headphones of my iPod and I took a deep inhale. As I exhaled, I focused on the most beautiful sight...The trees - they had begun blossoming with flowers and fruits.

As I continued to walk and stare, amazed at the sight before me, I noticed people entering the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. I marveled at this miracle called Life. I was in awe of nature because, only 20 minutes earlier, I had been reading about Global Warming and its ill effects on this planet.

I took in another inhale. As I exhaled, I realized that this beauty comes with a price. I focused my ears and heard sneezing. My silent prayers for myself became spoken prayers for others. "God Bless You." A woman replied, "Thank you," and proceeded to blame her plight on allergies.

I can safely tell you that I haven't had allergies in a long time. I told you in the intro the various methods of better breathing I will discuss, however, the universe has opened up to me in such ways that I will talk about other things, as well. Let's just say I'm going to talk about things that I didn't plan on discussing for another 4 months (told you before I'm on a schedule! ).


THE NOSE

Where is the source of all allergies? Where does breathing start? In the nasal cavity...starting with the nose. Let's take a look inside the nose. In order to provide clarity for better breathing, we must understand various nasal issues such as allergies and sinusitis.


Now, let's take an even closer look at the sinuses where all ills (allergies, sinusitis, etc.) manifest:
Sinuses are air pockets: Cavities that are lined with the same kind of membranes that line the nose, and they are connected to the inside of the nose through small openings about the size of a pencil lead.

Sinuses are part of the nasal air and membrane system that produces mucus. Normally, the nose and sinuses produce between a pint and a quart of mucus and secretions per day. This mucus passes into and through the nose, sweeping and washing the membranes, picking up dust particles, bacteria, and other air pollutants along the way. The mucus then flows backward into the throat where it is swallowed, down into the stomach where acids destroy any dangerous bacteria. Most people do not notice this mucus flow because it is just a normal bodily function.

When you get a cold, allergies, or sinusitis, extra mucus is created. When the mucus is clear and watery, the body is acting to cleanse the sinuses/nasal cavity (preventative measure). When the mucus is thick, sticky, yellow or green, your body is fighting a bacterial infection (acute measure). So if your mucus is clear and watery, the body is attempting to clean your nasal cavity before any infection can take hold. Once your mucus is thick and a yellow/or green color, the infection is already in your system and your body is taking steps to fight it.

You can prevent an infection from entering your body or you can fight it as it happens. I used to get allergies every time the seasons changed. Fighting the allergies as it happened never worked for me. As I took preventative measures to fight my allergies, the amount of colds I got lessened as well. Even though I'm a fan of the preventative approach, I will discuss acute methods of fighting these dis-eases.

Acute Methods

Acute methods of fighting allergies, colds, and sinusitis are taking over the counter medication or seeing a doctor so he/she can give you prescribed medication. There are plenty of herbal and all natural remedies for your nose, throat and over all allergy symptoms (mostly in the form of pills or sprays).

Even though these methods are for acute symptoms (as they are happening right now), it still takes a day or two for them to kick in. Even if you do find something that will help quicker (Vicks for instance), the feeling is temporary.

Trust me, I love Nyquil. It's the only over the counter medication that works for me. I haven't used it in years but it helped me to sleep at night. Too bad once I awoke, the symptoms all came back.

When people take these types of medications (acute or preventative conventional medicine) you think that it's the medication that has cured your ailment. That is an incorrect assumption. All medication is supposed to aid the body in its own healing process. Taking something like cough syrup for a cough doesn't cure the cough....it only stops the mechanism of coughing, which is actually a way for your body to heal. So synthetic, natural, acute or preventative medications can do one of two things for you: aid in the healing process or mask symptoms of the healing process. According to the Herbal Help for Allergies website, Antihistamines (conventional medicine for allergies) merely block the action of histamine at receptor sites. In other words, they suppress the appearance of physical symptoms but do nothing to redirect the underlying cause.

Preventative Methods

I was always a fan of preventative medicine. I never really liked pills or conventional medication, even as a small child. I figured I got it from my mom (she doesn't even like doctors) but now I see that I was always a "natural" kind of person...who liked to do things holistically.

So when I talk about preventative methods of healing, I mean methods that take time to work. Methods that take time to allow the body to heal on its own, without impeding any healing processes (fever, coughing, stuffy nose, etc.)

There was a time where I would have serious allergies four times a year. Every time the seasons would be in transition, I would have a bad head cold, stuffy nose, fever, and headache. You name it, I had it. Hay Fever and I were good friends.

I got rid of my allergies within 3 months. When people asked me how I got rid of my allergies, I would tell them "garlic" but it's so much more than that...and finally I can explain them to you. Let's start with Nose Cleaning

NOSE CLEANING

When I first practiced Islam (at age 11), I read many books. I needed to make sure my practice was perfect (yeah right). I read one book that explained how Muslims should bathe, brush teeth and the like. I only follow one of those suggestions now...and that is how to clean out your nose.

It's easier to do if you take a shower, but if you don't, don't worry. I'll get to you in a second
While in the shower, hold out your hand like a cup. Let the running water fill your hand. Keep your hand under the running stream of water. For beginners, hold the opposite nostril as you bring your nose to the cup of your hand. Then do a small inhale and a quick exhale.

You will probably have to practice this a number of times, to get it right. Some people would make the inhale too small and no water really gets into the nostril. Some people would inhale too deep. That leads to that burning feeling you get when you get the chlorine water up your nose. There have been times that I inhaled so deep and exhaled too quick and the water came out my mouth. That would make sense, if you look at the first picture of the nasal cavity above. You can see that the nose and mouth share the pharynx. Your body instinctively knowing that water is not air, will either send the water down the esophagus or will have the tongue make the water come out your mouth. It is very rare that your body will have any water (or liquid) go down the trachea, where your lungs lie. And that's the most awful feeling...sometimes worse than the chlorine burn you get!

When you do get it right, you can control how far the water goes up your nostril. When you bring down the water in an exhale, mucus and other particles will go with it. Do the same thing for the other nostril. I take it a step further (yeah I know TMI...but you love it ) and clean out my nose after this, while the water is still running. This is the only time I love "picking boogers."

If you're not a fan of a shower, while you're brushing your teeth or washing your face, you can do the same thing over a sink. It's a little more tricky because you have to bend in all kinds of ways to make sure that your nose is getting enough water but it's the same procedure.

Another (and better way) to clean your nose is with a Neti Pot. I haven't tried it yet but I'm hearing more and more good things about it. I'm going to get one next month, through my new part time job at the Integral Yoga Apothecary (yes, a link to the site will be in my "Health Related Links"). Instead of trying to describe it, I will provide a video, which shows you how to do it properly as well as exercises to do afterwards.

Both of these techniques will not only clean your nose, which will lead to fewer allergies, colds, and other nasal issues (do the Neti Pot/the nose cleaning every day...if you're scared, do it every other day until you get used to it). It will also help you to breathe better since you can get more air into your lungs without having to open your mouth.

HERBS

Another preventative method in treating allergies and sinus issues are with herbs. I always said that I would deal with these issues before getting into herbs and food as medicine, however, I'm in such a good mood that I can't help myself. As I explained before, people would ask me how I got rid of my seasonal allergies and I would tell them with garlic. Yes, garlic did help. However, there was another herb I was taking with the garlic that made a huge difference in getting rid of my allergies. When I started taking this herb, it was for anemia. I then found out later that this herb was probably instrumental in getting rid of my allergies. As I am healthier now, when I do have any kind of allergy (food or otherwise...I mostly have food allergies now that show up as hay fever symptoms..ie: beer), I would drink some tea with this herb and in a few days, I'm much better. What is this herb I'm talking about? It's my favorite herb: NETTLE LEAF aka STINGING NETTLES.

Garlic is a great anti-bacterial and anti-fungal herb. Nettle is great for seasonal allergies. According to two studies, Butterbur is a great herb for Hay Fever symptoms. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that is very helpful in inflammatory reactions, such as allergies and asthma (both inflammatory reactions to air and air-borne products). For those who don't know, a biofavonoid is a compound that is found in citrus fruits, cherries, blackcurrants and buckwheats. As a preventative measure, use these herbs as infused teas. As an acute measure, purchase tinctures, which are more concentrated forms of the herbs.

I think I covered a great deal when it comes to the nose. Before I end this blog, I'm going to introduce Health Tips from my classmate, Matt Stokes. He's a great guy and health counselor. I hope you enjoy his health tips as much as I do.

#1

Bio-individuality

No single diet works for everyone. We are all different.
Even if you are lucky enough to come across a diet book that works for you, it’s theories are not going to work forever. We change as we age.
The only truly healthy diet is on-going, self aware and educated.
Your diet is a life long process, not a short-term destination.
Finding a way to enjoying the process is the key.


Courtesy of







Please let me know how this post works for you. I hope you enjoyed the smileys, the information, and Matt's Health Tips. Please feel free to leave any comments. If you want to email me, you can reach me at drea@dorightforyourself.org

In the meantime...
stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!

References - ImmuneSupport.com, healthlibrary.epnet.com, click on underlined text for other online references. Pictures provided by http://www.a-better-way.com/naturalhealthschool/nose_sinuses.html and http://www.entassociates.com/sinus1.jpg. Video provided by YouTube/Himalayan Institute - Varcho Veda.

UPDATE - When I was about to post this blog, I got a call from my uncle. My grandma passed on last night at 9:30pm, NYC time. I cried for a bit and then I felt...peace. I never smiled at anyone's death before. It has nothing to do with her not suffering physically either. Now, my grandma is unlimited. She is finally one with the universe. I'm at work right now...but I'm going to go home and process this. God is Good...and now, a mommy is with her sons. That's nice.

Stay Strong. Stay Being.

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The Essential 4 Series: Breathe Better Methods - Intro

When I'm on the NY subways, I don't hold onto anything as the train moves. I don't stand there like a cement block. As the train sways back and forth, so do I. If the train makes an abrupt stop, I can stop myself. There have been times where the train would make a turn and I would lean over and across, going in the same direction as the train. People have asked me if I'm a heroin addict (of course not!) or just ask me how I did that.

When I have a minor pain, sometimes I complain about it. Then 20 minutes later, I tell the person I complained to that the pain is gone. They are non-believers, so of course they're going to ask me how I did that.

I can also stop colds, flu and fever or slow them down. Right now, I have mucus built up in my throat. It started as a sore throat. Now I am coughing because the mucus is coming out of my system. It could have been worse....I could have had a bad chest or head cold but I don't. No headaches, no body aches. Nothing but this cough. How did I do that?

I did it through my breath.

These three examples I have given represent 3 of the various methods to better breathing that I will cover in future posts. Not only will I cover these methods, I will also cover how breathing better helps you with various forms of exercise such as running and walking.

The methods I will cover will vary in many ways and one of them I have learned from a particular religion/culture. No...I won't tell you what they are. Future posts, explaining everything, will be broken down in a manner that will be easy for you to understand and go back to when you forget or want to tell a friend.

As I type, a friend of mine just asked me why I don't get some cough medicine for that cough. No way! Coughing is a mechanism that is used for the body to heal itself. If I stop the cough, the mucus won't come out of me. I have to be healthy...I crave health. You should too. This doesn't mean that you should stop taking Robitussin if you have a hacking cough or one that is totally unbearable to yourself and others. Sure, take that Nyquil if that cough is stopping you from falling asleep. But my cough is like once an hour and every time I cough, something comes out that needs to come out. My awareness is my friend and protector against most dis-ease.

So until next time,
Stay strong,stay healthyand fight dis-ease!

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The Essential 4 Series: Breathe for Life

Greetings Everyone!

I hope that this time spent away from me has been productive and healthy. I want my words to reach you after you turn off the computer and live your life. People are telling me that as they go about their normal activities, they remember me telling them to drink water or check their posture and they feel better overall. That is a really good feeling...it makes me feel light and airy, which is especially good when my heart is heavy or full of worries and doubt. I get the same feeling when I breathe properly.

Breathing properly can heal you. It can take away physical, mental, and spiritual pain. The breath can do what pills still cannot do - heal your ailments, instead of masking them.

I know you're looking at me right now like, "Whatchutalkinabout, SeeLaH?"
Fix your "Arnold" face. LOL

Sit up straight. Stop crossing your feet (Tyesha!! hehehe) and make sure that your knees do not come over your toes. Your feet should be hip distance apart and be firmly grounded on the floor. Keep your shoulders down and back and your neck up. You don't need to stretch it too far up, but it should feel like your head is lifted from the rest of your body. Make sure your head is not tilted too far forward either. Lift your torso up so you feel like it's separated from your hips. Relaxed now? Feel better? Good. Because I didn't stutter (you know the rest) ;)!! HEHEHE

To truly understand where I am coming from, I have to break down the breath in two ways: Air and Life.

I have already explained to you the "air" aspect of the breath. You know how the respiratory system works and the benefits of the air you breathe to your cells and your life. However, this is the physical manifestation of the breath. There is another aspect that more people need to be aware of. People need to understand the balance between air and life.

Now the "Life" aspect of the breath is more...metaphysical. In Indian tradition, what I am talking about is called "prana." In Chinese tradition, it is called "Chi." The Western World calls it the "Spirit." This life force permeates through all things and is contained in the air we breathe. I can go on and on about how "Life" works and what it can do for you but I'm going to save that for the last part of this series, when I talk about the various methods for you to breathe properly and move forward into meditation. ;)

In the meantime, I'm sure you're wondering how to breathe properly in the first place. Matter of fact, I'm sure you've been waiting to hear how to do it since the last post!! LOL I'm sorry to delay you. Don't worry...I'm not Howie Mandel from Deal or No Deal. You don't have to wait until a commercial break to figure out how to breathe properly. :D

First thing I want you to do is understand where you are when it comes to breathing. So place one hand on your chest and one hand on your stomach. Breathe in regularly. Where do you feel most of the air? What rises when you inhale, your chest or somewhere else? If you feel the most air in your chest, then (obviously) you are a chest breather. If you feel it in your stomach, then you don't need me. LOL ;)

So for all you chest breathers out there, I want you to try the following:

1. When you inhale, push your stomach out. Feel the air circle around your stomach.
2. When you exhale, push your stomach in. As you exhale, all the air should go out of your stomach.
   

Here is another exercise you can do to make sure that you're breathing properly:

1. I want you to look at the palms of your hands.
2. Now flip them and press your sides. Your thumb should be at the front of your body and the rest of your fingers should be pressed against your back.
3. The best place to put your hands is at the bottom of the ribcage. If you should be able to feel the last rib or two, if you're doing this correctly.
   
4. As you inhale, you should feel the air around the bottom of your ribcage/middle of your back and you should feel your hands moving outward.
   
5. When you exhale, you should feel your hands go back to the normal position.

The first exercise is to show you what should happen when you properly breathe. When you breathe into your diaphragm and abdomen, you are able to take in the most air possible. Actually, you can take in up to 50 times your normal capacity when you breathe in this manner. The second exercise is so that you can feel the air in your body...so that you can better understand the "life" aspect of the breath. The air goes in one or two places, starts the oxygenation of the cells, and then comes back out. It's the "life breath" that travels throughout your body and helps you to heal.

I understand that these concepts maybe a bit difficult to understand...at first. I also know that for some people, especially those who are overweight and obese, this maybe even difficult to feel or see. That is where your mind comes in. Imagination is key when you can't actually understand or feel what I am asking you to do. If you put your hands at your sides and can't feel your ribs, that's ok. Imagine the breath traveling right under your hands. Imagine the breath moving your body outward and inward as you inhale and exhale (remember...proper breathing is inhale....push your stomach out. Exhale...push your stomach in. Inhale = outward, exhale = inward...it's sounds real opposing, doesn't it!)

You should also make it a habit to practice these breathing techniques using your nose only. If you have to use your mouth, only use it on the exhale. So I would prefer you to breathe in with your nose (mouth closed) and exhale out your mouth (nose open LOL). I only want you to practice this way if you have to. Otherwise, nose in and nose out.

Like I said in the last post, take your time with this. If you feel any discomfort, if you feel your heart racing or beating too fast, or if you get nervous because you feel like you can't feel your heartbeat, then stop what you're doing and return to your normal breath. Doing these breathing exercises helps you to relax. Most people feel calm after doing either one of these exercises three times (3 inhales/exhales).

So when you're stressed out, take these deep breaths. You can also breathe like this laying down in your bed or standing up. In my next blog, I will go deeper into these techniques by talking about methods to better your breathing as well as how breathing properly can help you to lose weight and help you to heal. I truly hope this works for you. Remember to take this slowly...it takes time to master. I'll see you next time.

In the meantime...
stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!

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The Essential 4 Series: Breathing and the OD Factor

A while back, I spoke about what I called "the OD Factor." OD can mean "OverDoit" "OverDose" or even "OverlyDone". Basically, it means not to take anything too far or go overboard with any information that is given to you. While I was walking during lunch, I realized a couple of things that I need to tell you in regards to breathing. It's easy for people to learn new information, get excited and then do it so much or without proper instruction, that they hurt themselves. Breathing is too important of a process to get it wrong...it's one thing to experiment on yourself when you have proper awareness but as a beginner with no real awareness, it's a no no.

1. Like anything, mastering takes time. There is no way you can get proper posture or breathing without taking time to make sure you get it right. This is why, in addition to giving you tips, I also give you ways to achieve these goals with professional assistance. When it comes to health, I do not follow the "no pain, no gain" philosophy. That may work if you're in a gym, competing with yourself or the person next to you or in a contest but lifestyle changes do not work that way. Now don't get me wrong, you may have discomfort and you may have pain in an effort to become a healthier person. What I don't want you to think is that if you do feel discomfort or pain, that you should keep on going. NO WAY! This is especially true with breathing. If you are trying to do something and you feel discomfort and pain, stop it immediately and breathe the way you are used to. After a while, then you can try it again. Baby steps are important.
   
2. When I was walking down the street for lunch, I breathed through my nose and noticed mucus forming. Some of it started to drip. If your nose drips when you're breathing through your nose, then clean it up. Wipe the outside of your nostrils with your hands but do not blow it out. If you want to clean out the inside of your nose, use a tissue. If the nasal drip goes the other way, you should spit it out or swallow it (hey, sometimes it travels that fast LOL). Do not get frustrated or upset that you got plenty of mucus or that you couldn't spit or swallow in time. Even if you do blow your nose in the cold and you feel the effects, don't get upset and deterred. That is your mind trying to stop you from being healthy. More on that in a second.
3. In later posts, I'm going to talk about different methods of breathing and certain techniques that help you to breathe with great effect. Like I said in the #1, breathing properly is tricky and learning how to do it can be dangerous. For instance, in Tai Chi (one of the methods used to attain proper breathing) there is a technique called "turning the wheel". I'm not going to explain how this works but if you were to read up on it, there would be a disclaimer of sorts saying "do not attempt to practice this technique unless under the guidance of a skilled master/teacher. Doing this on your own can cause kidney problems and even kidney failure." Although I am adept in breathing and can breathe from the lowest parts of my womb, I do not consciously do this technique. Even if I realize that I am doing it, I stop and return to my normal breath.
   
4. In #2, I spoke about the mind trying to stop you from being healthy. It's not the mind's intention to stop you from being healthy. The mind gets really comfortable with what is going on so when change comes, it will fight by bringing out certain emotions like anger, frustration, and fear so that you stop what you're doing and continue on the path that it's used to. This is where the mind-body disconnect comes in. Your body knows what it needs to do to heal and cleanse you and make you healthy. However, your mind has different ideas because of everyday stress. As all this stress makes your body go into "emergency" mode, it gives control to the mind...leading you to where you are today. Awareness is allowing your body to take control of those things that it has to control - your physical health. Your body has no problems telling you that you should stop doing something or you need something but it's often your mind that puts those requests to the side, taking control. To create a good mind-body connection, you have to be able to let go. Sometimes relinquishing control is the only way to get something under control. You may not get that right now...but stick with me and you will, ok? :D

Stay strong. Stay up. Talk to you sooner than later.
See

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The Essential 4 Series: Inhale and Exhale II (The Process of Breath)

I'm going to explain a couple of things to you. Before I start, I want to tell you that most people's bodies are functioning in "emergency" or "survival" mode on a constant basis. This is because of stress, your mind-body disconnect, and other reasons that I will reveal in later posts.

The digestive process starts with your mouth.
The breathing process starts with your nose.
(I have tried my experiment with 5 more people and it was basically the same results as my last blog. I did notice, however, that people who are aware of their breathing and know how to breathe had less problems than those who did not.)
In the wintertime, the air is dry and cold. Since your nose likes to be moist, your body will naturally send mucus to your nostrils so that it can be moist (that's why when you breathe in the wintertime through your nose, the boogies will start to run down your nose. Clear mucus means that your body is trying to moisturize; thick mucus means that your body is trying to heal itself from sickness). Since your mind thinks that mucus is a bad thing (even though your body has a certain amount of mucus that is needed for many functions), it will want you to open your mouth so that you don't have nasal drip. This is where the mind-body disconnect comes in.
The problem with this is that your mouth should only used for breathing in emergencies. Your nostrils has hair in it to help trap and filter out dust and other toxins so that you lungs can take in air. When you breathe through your mouth, the air (with the dust and toxins) goes straight to your throat. This is the catalyst for a sore throat, which can lead to colds (head and chest) and flu.
Another thing people do that is a no-no is try to blow their nose (or suck the mucus in) while outside, in the cold. When you do this, you are making your sinuses even drier, which will cause the body to form more mucus, to moisturize and heal the damage caused. Constantly doing this (especially outside in the cold) will decrease the efficiency of your nasal functions, which can lead to head colds.
THE POWER OF AIR

It is said that you can live for a month (or two, depending on the state of your health) without food. You can live for days without water. However, without air, you will die within minutes!! Air consists of 77% nitrogen and 21% oxygen and other substances like water vapor and other minute gases. Sure, nitrogen is important. It's a key ingredient in amino acids, which makes protein. It is also a key component in animal wastes, in the form of uric acid and urea (aka urine). But speaking terms of breathing, oxygen is what we will focus on.

Our bodies depend on oxygen to live. Enough oxygen must reach the tiny cells throughout our body to feed them, giving them the energy necessary for life. Oxygen cleans your blood and helps the blood to remove the waste product Carbon Dioxide. For plants and bacteria, oxygen is the result of photosynthesis, where light (from the sun) is transformed into energy, using Carbon Dioxide and Water.

THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

It's one thing to talk about the respiratory system but it's even more amazing to visualize it properly to understand. Most people, myself included, learned from school that the respiratory system looks like this:
While this is not an incorrect description of the respiratory system, it is inaccurate and in a way, misleading. Let me show you this picture so I can better explain why I feel this way:
In this picture, you see some added organs - the diaphragm and the abdomen. The reason why the first picture is misleading is because it promotes chest breathing. When you breathe from your chest, you're actually putting extra work on your lungs. Proper breathing comes from the diaphragm and the abdomen.

The purpose of respiration is to exchange gases. Oxygen comes in and Carbon Dioxide goes out (one process of elimination, the elimination of gaseous waste). When you breathe from the chest area like the lungs, air comes in but not enough to fully oxygenate the lungs, which in turn gives the blood and cells their necessary dose of oxygen. Breathing from the diaphragm ensures that the lungs are completely filled with air, which in turn properly oxygenates the blood and cells as well as fully excrete Carbon Dioxide. The abdomen complements the diaphragm by making sure the enough muscle movement is done in the lungs so that transporting nutrients (oxygen) and toxins (carbon dioxide) is done for the whole body.

What you need to understand is that the lungs are truly a filter. The upper part of the lungs filter out the carbon dioxide and the lower part of your lungs also aid in the movement of this filtering process to the lymphatic system and your blood.

Now that you understand what organs are truly used for breathing and a basic understanding of how this works, I'm going to leave it here. Next time, we are going to get into how to properly breathe through the diaphragm and exercises that can help you attain that kind of breathing. I will also go further into how the breath can affect parts of your body and do amazing things like ending pain (yep, you read right). This will lead into techniques that can help you to breathe properly and gain better understanding of this complex process of breathing.

Until then,
stay strong, stay healthy, and fight dis-ease!


References - put your mouse over the pictures to see where they have come from. I will write the links out very soon. :)

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The Essential 4 Series: Inhale and Exhale (Intro to Breathing)

Right now in NYC, it's about 17 degrees outside. I can't speak for all the West Coasters and those down south, but Canadians will agree that it's really cold. For the past month or two, I've been watching the movements of people, when they are walking in the wintertime. For the most part, people have their heads bent, shoulders up and mouths open.

Sounds weird doesn't it? Not the heads bent or the shoulders up but the mouths open. What's really weird about it is that if you were to ask any of these people if they realize that their mouths are open while they walk, they will say "NO!" However, most people don't even think about their mouth when they walk.

Now, I didn't tell you this before but my chiropractor told me that if your head is down (neck is bent) for more than 10 seconds, there is a problem. Your neck should not be held in this position for long periods of time. Yet, most people in the wintertime do exactly that (as if their 2 scarves and head coverings aren't enough). Reading the last series, I'm guessing you can gather that keeping your shoulders up for long periods of time is not a good idea either. I said to you in the past that good posture leads to good breathing so it's safe to glean that your neck bent and your shoulders up will cause problems not only for your neck and shoulders but also your breathing will be affected.

"So what does this have to do with your mouth open?," you might ask. I'll get to that very soon. Trust me. ;)

I know first hand what cold can do to muscles. When I was working at MTV, I had a bad car accident. We already discussed how my neck was affected. So 6 months since the injury and I'm at work, doing my job like a busy little bee. I had moved to a different cubicle and the previous owner busted the vent so that "he could get air." As the cold air hit me, I felt funny...after a while, I couldn't move. It was painful to move my neck or even my legs. My chiropractor had to come to my job and practically help me thaw out. The cold maybe good if something is swollen but not in my case. Cold constricts and heat expands muscles. So if you're helping the cold to constrict your muscles and then you go in heat and they expand (even though you might still be in the bent neck/shrugged shoulders position unconsciously), wouldn't that make them a bit confused? I truly don't know how colds and flu happens to people (or why) but one theory most people have is that they are in the cold for too long and then go into heat (or naturally speaking, weather changes from really cold to unseasonably warmer temperatures). I can't speak for your nose or your throat, but when it comes to the aches and pains that comes with colds and flus, my theory seems very plausible.

Let's try an exercise:
Put your chin to your chest and shrug your shoulders. Keep your head and shoulders in this position for as long as you can and try to breathe through your nose (do this for at least 10 breaths). Notice the changes.

I asked 10 people at my job to do this exercise. Of them, 2 people's face turned red, 4 people had problems breathing (and their mouths opened wider with each inhale/exhale), 1 person felt winded and weak after doing it, and the other 2 people said that their neck and shoulders hurt (no problems with breathing...however, they were the only 2 people that did this exercise standing up). I explained to them that when posture is bad, breathing is affected (hence the reason why people's face turned red or others opened up their mouths).

When your neck is bent and your shoulders up, you're actually cutting off a good amount of circulation to your head. Your mind will think "ok...since I can't get enough air from my nose, I'll just get it from the mouth." Your mouth opens to take in air. However, your body doesn't receive enough (if any) of the benefits of this air. If you're standing, you may not feel a difference in your breath, but your body will take on the stress and your brain will receive it in the form of pain or discomfort.

You know, I shouldn't chuckle when I say this but I can't help myself. I had to chuckle because every time I said this to a person at work, they looked at me shocked and then says in a low voice, "I really do that, don't I?" It's really crazy that in the wintertime, people walk around with their heads tucked into their chest, their shoulders shrugged up and their mouths open! And you're wondering why you get sick and feel pain!!? ;)

I think I'm going to end it here right now because I have some of my "guinea pigs" at my desk, asking me more questions. heheehe They're telling me that it's a lot of information that they just took in. Instead of bogging you all down, I'm going to let you marinate with this, savor this flavor, and beg for more "health food." Next time, my plate will be full with why air is so important, which organs are used for breathing, and what breathing really does for your body.

Until next time,
Stay Strong, Stay Healthy and Fight dis-ease!

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