CENTERED CORE BREATHING

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HOW OXYGEN ENTERS THE CELLS

The capillaries and alveoli in the lungs allow oxygen to enter the red blood cells. These oxygenated red blood cells carry this life force to every part of the body to perform its functions. The more oxygen intake, the more diffusion can occur in the body. Diffusion is a passive transport process that involves capillaries and the alveoli of the lungs. This process exchanges oxygen to the cells and carbon dioxide from the blood.

INSIGHT ON A BREATHING SESSION

In the blood water combines with carbon dioxide and carbonic acid is created. If carbonic acid is not removed properly from the body an acid state can result. The lungs can remove equal to more than 30 L of carbonic acid per day from venous blood by expelling carbon dioxide.
Exhaling allows carbon dioxide exits the body by diffusion (the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide). Blood pH should range around 7.45. One way the body regulates pH is by respiration. Deep breathing allows excess carbonic acid in the blood to be released as carbon dioxide.

CENTERED CORE BREATHING AND LYMPHATIC SYSTEM

Lymph carries germs, cancer cells, toxins and waste products out of the body and moves nutrients to the blood via the lymphatic system. Breathing encourages this system to do its job and in turn supports the immune system.
Unlike the circulatory system, the lymphatic system has no pump to move this system along. Just like physical exercise, the rhythm of diaphragmatic breathing has the ability to move lymph through the body. Many of the body’s lymph nodes are located in the abdominal area and are massaged through the movement of this breathing technique. This massaging movement and increased oxygen helps to enable the lymphatic system to do its job more efficiently.

POSTURE

In Indian tradition the body is segmented into chakras. A chakra is considered an energy wheel in a certain portion of the body representing specific functions. The Heart Chakra is known as the center of the soul. It is very interesting that the body components that represent this chakra, i.e. diaphragm, ribcage, lungs and spine are components used for diaphragmatic breathing. When this chakra is open, unconditional love is encouraged in the body and has the ability to replace negative feelings.

Ever notice how a good cry can create a more relaxed breath afterward? Negative and repressed emotions can restrict breathing. Holding in emotions can happen for many reasons including fear.
Breathing deeply is a courageous act that opens up the ribcage and allows an openness of the body. This along with a relaxed state challenges locked emotions to surface in a non-intrusive manner.

Grief for instance can create a restrictive feeling around the chest. A broken-heart is considered figurative, but the body responds to this emotion by creating a protection around the chest by tightening the muscles. The result is shallow breathing which blocks feelings. But at some point a deep breath needs to take place again. If emotions or stress related to them are not eventually released properly, a deep breath becomes less natural. Consciousness of deep breathing can be helpful to unlock repressed emotions and the tightness it creates. It is important to understand that releasing emotions is still reliant upon the willingness of the person.