The Art of Breathing: Conscious Breathing for Conscious Living – Part One

On any given day, you inhale and exhale more than 30,000 times, yet you may not be aware of a single breath. Breathing is a function of the autonomic nervous system and happens involuntarily, without conscious thought. The process of breathing allows for oxygen to enter the body and carbon dioxide to be expelled. Oxygen, entering the lungs, is then transported through the circulatory system to and from the cells, where it helps break down nutrients and produce energy. Breathing provides a vital energy force for the entire body. It also allows for expression through speech, laughter and other emotional utterances. It gives us and others clues about how we are feeling, mentally, emotionally and physically. Labored breathing may be a sign of a respiratory infection or poor cardiac output, while rapid breathing may be a sign of physical or