ON BREATH AND BREATHING
High Blood Pressure - The Other Pandemic.
With all this focus on COVID, I’d like to remind you that the medical journal Lancet describes hypertension (high blood pressure) as “the largest epidemic ever known to mankind.”
In the USA, over 80 million people are suffering from it right now. And most of them will live with it for years without ever feeling any symptoms. That’s why they call it “the silent killer.”
Hypertension or high blood pressure is known to be the cause of our most serious health problems, including chronic pain and fatigue, stroke, kidney failure, atherosclerosis, and heart disease—which is the number one cause of death in the world. HBP is pretty scary stuff!
A number of factors are believed to cause high blood pressure, including obesity, insulin resistance, smoking, alcohol, too much salt, not enough potassium and/or calcium, and a sedentary lifestyle.
And so, to reduce hypertension, doctors advise you to change your diet, do some exercise, quit smoking, manage your stress, and of course swallow a lot of pills.
But here’s the real shocker: what doctors are not taught, and what the pharmaceutical companies don’t want you to know, is that sub-optimal breathing causes high blood pressure!
What we call “normal” breathing is generally rapid, shallow, and takes place mainly in the upper chest. This habitual way of breathing, although considered normal, is neither natural nor healthy. In fact, it is sub-optimal, and it is the hidden cause of hypertension!
The good news is that high blood pressure can be prevented and controlled with Conscious Breathing! Practically anyone can easily lower (or raise) their blood pressure with breathwork. Medical studies have already proven this. However, it is still not taught in medical schools.
Not only does “normal” breathing cause high blood pressure. It also causes a host of other physical, mental and emotional problems, such as stress and anxiety, chronic muscle tension, headaches, inability to focus or concentrate, memory loss, sleep disorders, digestive problems, sexual and reproductive issues, autoimmune disorders, and premature aging.
Medical scientists know that breathing involves more than just the regulation and exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. It also governs your autonomic nervous system. Breathing rate or speed regulates the sympathetic branch of the nervous system (the gas pedal), and breathing volume or depth regulates the parasympathetic branch of the system (the brake pedal).
Rapid shallow breathing triggers the sympathetic response (fight, flight, freeze) and blocks the parasympathetic response (rest, digest, recover). And so, the key is to find that “sweet spot’ between breathing rate or speed and breathing depth or volume.
And here is something you need to know: the autonomic nervous system needs your conscious input in order to function optimally! We need to practice breathing in what is called the therapeutic zone: between 4 and 8 breaths per minute.
The sweet spot for most adults is 5 to 6 breaths per minute. But remember that relaxation of the body and quietness of the mind are vital ingredients in this breathing formula.
Each time you give yourself a slow full diaphragmatic breath, you trigger what is called the “respiratory arterial pressure wave.” This sends a flood of blood into your heart, lungs, and brain. And so, breathing plays a key role in the pumping of your blood!
Stephen Elliott, author of “A New Science of Breath” and “Coherent Breathing” does a great job of describing how our “thoracic pump” works to strengthen the heart. And thanks to his and others’ groundbreaking work, we understand how breathing not only governs and balances the nervous system, but it plays a key role in moving blood.
By the way, Steve is one of 50 leading experts I have invited to present at The Virtual Breathing Festival taking place across three 4-day weekends from February 11th to the 28th. This is sure to be one of the most health promoting, heart opening, and consciousness raising events ever. And so, you do not want to miss it! Get your ticket today at: https://theicfb.com/28/festival.
Back to hypertension… The scary part is this: when you breathe normally—at a rate of 15 to 20 shallow breaths per minute—you don’t engage your thoracic pump. You don’t trigger that vital respiratory arterial pressure wave. And so, your heart and cardiovascular system are forced to work overtime to pump and move blood.
The fact is normal breathing causes your nervous system to go out of balance, and it keeps your system locked into sympathetic overdrive. Everyone knows it is dangerous and unhealthy to continually pour stress-causing chemicals and hormones into your system. And yet, that’s exactly what “normal breathing” does!
Imagine what would happen if every time you stop at a red light or park your car, that you continue to rev your engine at over 5000 RPM’s. Imagine how much wear and tear that will cause. Well, that is exactly what will happen to your body with normal breathing!
And don’t think that sleeping will help, because most people do not really rest when they sleep. The all-day habit of rapid shallow breathing follows them into the night, and during sleep. We need to learn how to put the brakes on. We need to practice slow deep gentle breathing every day in order to get a truly good night’s rest.
Look, your autonomic nervous system governs your body’s biological functions. And breathing governs your autonomic nervous system. So, why not connect the dots, and commit to learning and practicing Breathwork in 2021!
When you master your breath, you master your mind, your body, and your emotions. By mastering the basic principles of breathwork and by practicing some of the advanced techniques, you can improve your health and become a world class biohacker!
I invite you to breathe your way to a healthier and happier life and a more peaceful world in 2021. And I’m here to help you at every step along the way. You can improve your breathing through my Breathwork Fundamentals Course. Visit: https://www.o2collective.com/breath-mastery-fundamentals
Also, we still have two spots open for my 15th Annual Breath Mastery Immersion Intensive and Retreat. We only accept 15 people at this 21-Day Program which takes place at my home in Los Cabos, MX. To take part in this life changing event, contact Anastasia: sovayda@gmail.com.
And again, because we is smarter than me, I encourage you to draw inspiration from fifty of the world’s leading experts in breathwork, and urge you to your ticket to The Breathing Festival today. Visit: https://theicfb.com/28/festival.
Wishing you good luck in your practice, and many blessings in the new year!
