By Dwight Bonair Breathing is vitally important for humans to sustain life on Earth. Our breath is the bridge from our body to our mind, the element which reconciles our body and mind and which makes possible one-ness of body and mind. Breath is the tool, which can bring them both together, illuminating both and bringing both a scene of peace and calmness. Many people have gotten out of their natural flow and have consequently lost awareness of their breath. There is a strong correlation between reactions to life events and our breathing. The average person’s breathing mechanism is functioning at a fraction of its full potential. Too many people regularly take insufficient shallow breaths that only partially fill the lungs, or, even worse, some people will forget to breathe when stressed or overwhelmed by emotional or physical pain. Most of us are familiar with the term “fight or flight,” also known as the stress response. It’s what the body does as it prepares to confront or avoid danger. When appropriately invoked, the stress response helps us rise to many challenges. But trouble starts when this response is constantly provoked by less momentous, day-to-day events, such as money woes, traffic jams, job worries, or relationship problems. The stress response also suppresses the immune system, increasing susceptibility to colds and other illnesses. Moreover, the buildup of stress can contribute to anxiety and depression. We can’t avoid all sources of stress in our lives, nor would we want to. But we can develop healthier ways of responding to them. When you understand and experience the influence your thoughts and emotions have on your breathing and body, you can make the necessary changes. You can learn how to use your breath to center yourself while processing through and pulling yourself out of negative...
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