Meditation And Breathing

The object of breathing mediation is to become calm and still the mind to become more lucid. When done every day a person will learn to relax better. It can aid in controlling what a person thinks as he sees a pattern to his thoughts and can stop negative ones.

Breathe deeply feeling the abdomen movement and concentrate on it and not the chest. Make sure to breathe through the nose.

What is the Diaphragm?

It is a large muscle. It sits in a horizontal position crossing the bottom of the rib cage. It connects to the front, back, and sides of the lower rib cage. It has an oval shape and turned over bowl look.

When someone inhales, it contracts pulling down, and the ribs spread out a little and the lower end of the lungs expand downward and draw in air. When he exhales, the diaphragm releases and air goes out of the lungs.

When the adherent practices meditative breathing or deep yoga breathing the spot just passed the breast bone, right at the top of the abdomen presses in a little causing the practitioner to exhale a bit better.

To breathe more completely he must breathe from his diaphragm. Diaphragmatic breathing doesn’t utilize the abdomen or the chest. To consciously breath this way is extremely relaxing to the autonomic nervous system. It is an important to practice diaphragmatic breathing to prepare for deep meditation.

Most people are stressed and so they breathe with the chest and maybe the abdomen. But the lower abdomen is still when someone breathes with the diaphragm. The chest breathing also generates more stress and basically a cycle is started. This cause bodily tenseness and agitates the mind.

The adherent to diaphragmatic breathing for deep meditation has to take the time to learn to breathe from the diaphragm and keep the top of the chest and the bottom of the abdomen still.

Western medicine has found out that just as the yogis have known for a long time, breathing is closely related to autonomic nervous system and a person’s mind. Thus, some hospitals now teach people deep breathing.

A person needs to be trained correctly and to practice it daily. He should practice it at least in the morning and evening.

* Breathe using the diaphragm. The ribs should expand outward, but he shoulders and upper chest should be still.
* Breathe flowingly. The breath should be steady.
* Breathe slowly. Don’t strain. It should feel comfortable.
* Breathe deeply, but don’t overdue or strain.
* The breathing should be continual, not a stopping and starting.
* The breathing should be even keeping the inhaling and exhaling equal in duration.
* After getting used to the equal duration, let the exhalation go twice as long while practicing.

When practicing, notice the diaphragm moving, letting your upper chest and abdomen stay still. Next, think of the air going through your nostrils and how that feels. Continue to breathe diaphragmatically. A person can just practice the breathing or do a total meditation.

Jane Michael is the head writer at the Center for Meditation. Calm living is her practice and her passion. Goals of Meditation is a great way to start your practice.Read some of her articles about other amazing Contemplation and Breathing here.

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