"As for the vitality of all human beings, it inevitably occurs because of balanced and aligned breathing." New Ye (Inward Training), 4th century BCE
"The perfected breathe all the way to their heels, unlike ordinary folk who breathe only as far as their throats." Zhuangzi, 3rd century BCE
One of the special ingredients of qigong is slow and deep (lower abdominal) breathing, often harmonized with slow movement. The physical benefits are extraordinary ... strengthening the diaphragm (with many valuable consequences), promoting the smooth circulation of blood, dilating the blood vessels, and more. And above all - it can shift us into a profound parasympathetic state that enables healing, restfulness, down-regulation, peacefulness and friendly openness to the world.
Instead of writing more here, I am attaching an article on breathing that I wrote for The Journal of Chinese Medicine.
View The Transformative Power of Deep, Slow Breathing article click here.
