Deep Breathing
The total capacity of our lungs is about 6000 c.c., but during normal breathing we only breath about 600 c.c. air per breathe in to our lungs. In deep breathing the practitioner can inhale up to the total capacity of the lungs, which increases breathing efficiency per breath. The normal breath rate is 15 to 18 breaths per minute but in deep breathing this rate is reduced to about 4 to 8 breaths per minute.
The air is inhaled mostly using diaphragm or muscle of respiration and expanding the chest. The movement of abdomen helps the movement of diaphragm. The intercostal muscles help the movement of chest. In this the diaphragm movement requires less efforts than the rib movement and more air can be inhaled as the diaphragm can be vertically moved up and down to about 6 inches. So Deep breathing involves efficient movement of abdomen.
It is observed that the animals who breath slowly have more life span, so reducing the breath rate with deep breathing may help increase the life span of human beings.
Practice -
1. Beginners can start with deep breathing practice in sitting position of lying down position.
2. Initially the ratio of 1:1, that is inhalation and exhalation counts are same. for example - 4 seconds inhale and 4 seconds exhale or 5 sec inhale and 5 sec exhale. You may practice it for 5 minutes initially, and gradually increase the time duration.
3. After practicing it for 10 minutes everyday, one can increase the ratio to 1:2, that is exhalation is twice of inhalation. for example - 4 seconds inhalation and 8 seconds exhalation or 5 sec inhale and 10 sec exhale.