The Joy of Exercise

Vigorous exercise increases the body’s demand for oxygen, which encourages you to breathe more deeply and enhances the rate at which the body eliminates carbon dioxide. That’s why a brisk walk is so invigorating for your body and your mind; your cells are receiving extra oxygen and at the same time getting rid of the toxic wastes that contribute to fatigue. Because exercise makes you breathe more deeply, the capacity of the lungs to take in oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide is improved. If the lungs are not regularly used to their full capacity, they begin to lose their elasticity. Any brisk, vigorous exercise that increases your rate of breathing will improve your lung capacity and helps your lungs to detoxify your bloodstream. Brisk walking, dancing, gardening, hiking, bicycling, and swimming are all excellent choices. Obviously, avoid exercising in polluted areas. I am always dismayed to see people jogging along side highways, breathing in deeply the exhaust fumes and road dust. Search out places to exercise that have fresh, clean air. Also consider the time of day that you exercise; the air often seems to be most pure early in the morning.

By taking a few minutes daily to focus specifically on your breathing, you can increase your lung capacity and the ability of your lungs to purify your body. Deep-breathing exercises immediately promote a feeling of relaxation and well-being, and with regular practice, will help to increase your energy, promote clear thinking, and improve the quality of your sleep. The ancient art of yoga is an excellent method for increasing your awareness of your breathing patterns, and will stretch and rejuvenate your entire body while enhancing your control of your breath.

Simple breathing exercises that you can do anywhere anytime are invaluable for improving your breathing and your overall health. The following exercise will help you to become aware of how to breathe fully. It may feel awkward at first, especially if you are in the habit of breathing shallowly.

Sit or lie in a comfortable position, and place your hands on your belly. Inhale through your nose, and allow the breath to flow down into your abdomen. Your abdomen should expand as you inhale. As you continue to inhale, allow the breath to flow upward into your lungs, and your chest to expand. Hold for just a moment, and then let the air flow out of your body in the reverse order. As you exhale, feel the breath first flow out of the top portion of your lungs as your chest falls. Completely exhale by pulling your abdomen in toward your spine to expel all the air from your lungs. Pause for a moment, and repeat. Continue breathing in this way for a few minutes. Be gentle, and don’t force the breath. It takes time to learn how to breathe fully. Another good exercise for expanding the capacity of the lungs is to practice blowing up a balloon several times a day.

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Category: Athletic, Diet, Exercise, Sports, Workout

Tags: air, all, art, body, breath, breath to flow, breathe, breathe more deeply, breathing, capacity, Exercise, flow, gardening, lungs, people