www.Longfei-Taiji.co.uk	Longfei Taijiquan Association of Great Britain
		Longfei Newsletter Volume 9 Issue 1

A Matter of Life and Breath

This is a postscript to my article on breathing and Pranayama. The title above appeared on the health page of the Daily Express just 48 hours after I had finished my own contribution. The contributors to the article were Dr Mike Thomas from Aberdeen University and Dr Ruth Gilmore of the Yoga Medical Trust.

I hesitate in my own writing and avoid making too much of my limited knowledge so it was rewarding to see Pranayama referred to by medical professionals. Under the heading "Pranayama" I quote:

"Asthmatics often slip into an abnormal breathing pattern due to stress. When people are anxious, explains Dr Ruth Gilmore, they breathe in quick shallow breaths, making them more anxious.

"Slow breathing relaxes the mind and a relaxed mind creates slower breathing. The aim of Pranayama Yoga is to reduce stress levels, slow down the breathing and open up the chest. This is done through a combination of long breathing where practitioners teach people to inhale and exhale slowly before finally breathing out for twice as long as they breath in. They are also taught fast breathing, where a person forcibly exhales by pulling their abdomen in and then inhales slowly. This helps to clear the lungs, leading to slower. more controlled breathing.

"Dr Thomas says scientific evidence is limited in this area but recent research published in the journal Thorax indicates that breathing exercises including Pranayamic yoga can improve asthma symptoms."

While this article was addressing the problems of asthma, the need to improve breathing habits is implied. The whole subject of the bio-chemistry and metabolism of breathing also requires professional commentary. For more info on Pranayama visit, www.yogatherapy.org

Richard Watson

Longfei Newsletter Volume 9 Issue 1 Table of Contents