Respiratory System

The human body is made up of millions of cells, in which some join together to form organs and tissues.  These organs create different systems in the body, yet they all must work together in unison to function at their optimum.

Yoga is the same - the eight limbs of yoga work together for the greater health of the person, bringing intelligence to every cell in the body so they function properly and bring optimum heath to the body, breath and mind.

I think this is why my love for yoga has not waned over the past 20 years.  It is an amazing system that is timeless in our day to day lives. Integrating not just the health of the physical body, but also the breath and mind. The conscious awareness.

I wanted to highlight some of the systems of the body so we can gain even more appreciation and awareness of why keeping the physical body fit and healthy is so important.

Starting first with the respiratory system we know that breath is life and without the breath there is no life. So why we compromise our breath by how we sit or stand is really a form of himsa - or self harming.

Oxygen is needed by the cells to break down food to gain the energy needed to carry out our bodily functions.

During respiration air from the atmosphere enters into the body and transfers oxygen to the blood which is then circulated throughout the body.

Sit for a few minutes and follow the breath. Notice how many parts of the body are involved in the breath entering the body.

The nose is the entrance to which the air enters and exits the body with the nostrils helping to filter and moisten the air. The air then passes over the larynx and pharynx and into the trachea.  As it moves down to the bronchi and lungs where the exchange of the gas into the blood occurs.

In this one must also consider the muscles involved in respiration. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles are the main muscles, but must also use the muscles of the throat, torso, spine and abdomen.

So why so important to breath properly and how can yoga help?

Although breathing is automatic, most of us don't breath properly. Also, the rate and rhythm of respiration changes as the body requires. Our breathing tends to change depending also on our state of mind.
So, yoga can help expand the lungs to increase their capacity and moves the joints of the rib cage.
Yoga tones the respiratory muscles so they function properly and because yoga asana works the whole body, all the systems of the body are improved.

The standing and sitting poses give suppleness to the joints and rib cage and elasticity is brought to the spine, abdomen, throat and torso.
Backbends expand the lungs and help increase their capacity.
Twists bring movement to the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
Forward bends stretch the back of the rib cage and lungs.
Inversions remove that gravitational force of the lungs and diaphragm and helps rejuvenate them.
Reclined poses helps to relax the back muscles so the diaphragm can initiate the breath bringing calmness to the body and mind and improve breathing.

So, get up and do some yoga!  Then sit and watch the breath :)
The result is LIFE.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.blotspot.com
plnyogastudio@gmail.com