Benefits of practicing abdominal breathing consistently
Sep 23, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Guo Xiheng
Introduction
There are many benefits to practicing abdominal breathing regularly, including improving digestive and spleen function, increasing lung capacity, enhancing cardiopulmonary function, and promoting relaxation and mental calmness. During abdominal breathing, the abdominal muscles alternately contract and relax, causing the capillaries within the local muscles to similarly alternate between constriction and dilation. This process accelerates blood circulation and increases oxygen supply.
The principle of abdominal breathing involves combining it with chest breathing, meaning that while breathing through the chest, one simultaneously enhances the expansion and contraction of the abdomen. Practicing abdominal breathing regularly offers numerous benefits, including improved gastrointestinal function, increased lung capacity, enhanced cardiopulmonary function, calming the mind, and promoting relaxation.
1. Improved Gastrointestinal Function
A key feature of abdominal breathing is that it increases the range of motion of the diaphragm, whose movement directly affects pulmonary ventilation. This promotes intestinal peristalsis, prevents constipation, accelerates toxin elimination, reduces the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, supports liver and gallbladder health, stimulates bile secretion, and ultimately improves digestive system function.
2. Increased Lung Capacity and Improved Cardiopulmonary Function
Abdominal breathing allows for maximum expansion of the thoracic cavity, enabling better expansion and contraction of the lower lung alveoli. This strengthens respiratory function and increases lung capacity, thereby improving heart and lung performance and reducing the risk of cardiopulmonary diseases. It also decreases the likelihood of pulmonary infections and pneumonia, and aids in the recovery from conditions such as emphysema and other ventilation disorders.
3. Calming and Relaxation
Abdominal breathing helps regulate emotions, thus producing a calming effect on the mind. It also contributes to brain development and cognitive improvement. During abdominal breathing, breath energy accumulates in the "dantian" (lower abdomen), which helps regulate cerebral excitation.
When practicing abdominal breathing, the alternating tension and relaxation of abdominal muscles cause corresponding constriction and dilation of capillaries within local muscle tissues. This accelerates blood circulation, increases oxygen supply, facilitates the removal of metabolic waste, and exerts regulatory and stimulating effects on various organs and tissues throughout the body.
