Breathing has become a popular subject lately, but the truth is breath is an ancient form.
“Then the LORD God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being [an individual complete in body and spirit]. “Genesis 2:7
Our existence on this earth started with a breath. What would happen if we placed more awareness on the importance of our breath? Can we heal ourselves through this life-giving breath? How do we respond to our breath?
breath awareness
We go about our day without noticing our breath. Why should we? It’s a normal response that takes place naturally without us giving attention to it. For the next 2 minutes, while you continue to read this blog, I want you to take note of what happens to your breath. Is it deep, shallow, short, or long? Do we stop breathing at moments during the day?
It is not uncommon to breathe shallow or rapid during the rush of getting stuff done.
One of the ways shallow breath affects the body is that it remains in a heightened state of stress responses in the form of Fight, flight, or freeze.
This idea of Fight, Flight, or Freeze response, was coined way back in the 1920s by psychologist William James and physiologist Carl Lange who declared that emotions are merely the result of physiological (bodily) reactions to events.
Resulting, in a reaction to life instead of responding to life. Your breath plays a major role in either reaction or response.
how healing can take place through breathing
The Vagus nerve is one of the longest nerves in the body, communicating information on the gut, liver, heart, and lungs back to the brain.
Furthermore, the Vagus nerve is the main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for helping your body to return to a state of balance.
During these long periods of heightened states of stress, the body depletes minerals and ends up with a weakened digestive system.
Breathing exercises can help activate the parasympathetic, which controls our rest state. It will also deactivate the sympathetic nervous system response to regulate our fight-or-flight response, with stimulation of the Vagus nerve.
Researchers have documented the benefits of a regular practice of simple, deep breathing, which include the following:
- Alkalizing your blood PH
- Anti-inflammatory effect
- Elevating your mood
- Reduced anxiety and depression
- Lower/ stabilized blood pressure
- Increased energy levels
- Improved immunity
- Decreased feelings of stress and overwhelm
- Reduction in trauma symptoms
ruach your breathe
Over the past month, we connected the Ruach/Spirit to the breath of Father in us. Doing breath exercises or simply being aware of your breath allows you to connect to the source of life. Yahweh, our very core. The reason we exist. If you would like to know more about the Ruach, hop on over to some of my other reads: Walk in the breath, Ruach
Understanding and practicing how we are fully connected, to YHVH breath, we learn what it means to rest in Him. Rest in His breath in us and through us. We are the portal for His breath to flow through. But being in a state of stress blocks our flow from the living flow and we are stuck in the reactions of life. You are not what life deals out, you are more powerful and far above it all. Coming into the stillness of breath allows you to become the observer.
Joseph Goldstein defines mindfulness as “the quality and power of mind that is deeply aware of what’s happening – without commentary and interference.”
To be in His Rest, one must practice and acquire stillness.
Like an intentional breath of Life are your words and revelation. Once again so timely to have information and revelation come together with what I am currently experiencing and walking with the Lord to complete wholeness and restoration. Thank you.
Yes, intentional breath. I love how synchronized life can be. When our awareness is placed upon it we will see it.
I love you my friend.