The importance of the breath

Breathing is one of those things we do, right? Surely it doesn’t really matter how we do it? For years people have been advocating belly breathing (so from your diaphragm rather than the top of your lungs) and also taking longer breaths (ideally the same count in and out) but this doesn’t have to be a yoga class it is something you can fit into day to day life. When faced with anxiety (and think of this as threat to ourselves) we have three reflex responses (and by reflex read we don’t choose it happens). So whether you are in fight, flight or freeze your body needs the energy to do this and so without realising you start to breath in less than you breath out. This allows oxygen to be stored but also means you have tight chest, and other anxious responses. One way to fix this is to follow the 4-6 model of breathing. By this I mean breathe in using your entire chest (imagine your diaphragm lifting) for the count of 4 and then breathe out for the count of 6. Do this three times. This helps reset the body and should help to lower that fight/flight/freeze response.