Deep and slow breathing forms an integral part of yoga practice. Our normal breathing is shallow and fast. We use only 20 percent of our lung’s capacity to breathe. Deep and slow breathing makes use of the potential of our lungs to supply adequate amount of oxygen required by the cells of our body to carry out its functions. Shallow breathing allows less oxygen to the brain, heart and the body.
- It also helps in removing toxins from the body. So, lack of sufficient oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide builds up toxins in our body.
- Yoga and pranayama improves the breathing pattern and helps reduce stress, and improves the oxygen supply to the brain caused due to constricted breathing.
- It improves our digestive system by increasing the digestion and assimilation of food. The food gets oxygenated thus helping in the proper digestion. When the stomach gets more oxygen, it takes part in the digestion in a better manner.
- As more oxygen reaches the brain, it improves the function of the nervous system. The brain requires three times more oxygen than the rest of the body.
- It increases the efficiency of the heart, and reduces blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.
- If you have excess weight, deep breathing helps in reducing the weight. The extra oxygen burns up the excess fat.
Practicing these breathing exercises helps in improving the capacity of the lungs and increases the general breathing capacity of an individual.
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