Breatheology: The Art of Conscious Breathing

Here you will learn to be able to recognize the effects of unconscious and uneasy breathing in everyday life.

This chapter focuses on the ways in which calm and conscious breathing can prevent and control stress, and how weight can be managed through breathing. In addition, the influence of mind power and your diet on your physical and mental well-being will be examined.

This chapter describes how breathing works, and how it affects your body. When you more fully understand how your body and your nervous system are organized, you can more easily change any potential bad habits.

In this chapter, you will also learn how your breathing is regulated, and how you, by way of being conscious about your breath, can activate the soothing part of your nervous system and increase your daily well-being and health

This chapter provides an introduction to yoga, giving not only the historical and philosophical background on a holistic basis, but also valuable exercises that you can use to attain a more serene body and mind.

Understanding how breathing bridges the gap between your physical and mental self, you can learn to understand the finer nuances of breathing – one of the central elements of yoga

In this chapter, the many advantages of breath holding will become clear. Even though you may not think about it in your daily life, pauses in your breathing are quite natural and often spontaneous.

In pranayama (controlled breathing) breath holding is particularly important.

This chapter describes the many advantages that breath holding as well as breathing techniques, can add to sports – both for everyday exercise and elite athletes. Many of these stem from the freediving universe, however, they are excellent for everyday use.

In addition, I describe experiments with the heart, brain, and lungs, which provide scientific examples for why a greater awareness of breathing is so important. This chapter provides techniques to improve your performance and results in your fitness routine.

The chapter Therapeutic breathing pinpoints how you can boost your health through conscious and efficient breathing.

Should you be ill, this chapter offers valuable advice as to how you can work towards recovery and minimize your disease.

Furthermore, efficient breathing is also a potent aid for preventing illnesses.

Here you will learn how you can relieve pain by strengthening the connection between body and mind both through calm and attentive breathing as well as through positive thinking, imagery, and meditation.

By shifting your focus to your breath, the pain will seem less intense and a more regular heartbeat will soothe and nourish the body.

The Breatheology book ends with a step-by-step guide to build your own personal program that suits your daily life and needs.