Cleansing Breath

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The Cleaning Breath is a quick and efficient technique to relax the nervous system when you are stressed or upset. It is helpful when used on a daily basis to strengthen the body organs. During the cleansing breath you are listening for a deep, strong, full exhalation that is coming from the base of your abdomen. It is one of the breathing exercises recommended by naturopathic doctors.

Benefits:

  • clears lungs, sinuses and nasal passages
  • aids digestion
  • purifies the bloodstream
  • clears the head
  • helps relieve tension and emotional distress
  • relieves colds
  • strengthens lungs, thorax and abdomen
  • stimulates liver, spleen and pancreas
  • tones the nervous system

Technique:

  1. Inhale deeply, pushing the abdomen out, taking in as much air as possible in the space of 1 second.
  2. Tighten your abdomen in forcefully to expel the air through the nostrils.
  3. Inhale again by pushing the abdomen out and letting the air rush back into the lungs.
  4. The whole process, inhalation and exhalation, should take not much more than 1-1/2 seconds. Both should be forceful and will be quite audible.
  5. Do five to ten cleansing breaths a day, or as recommended by your Naturopathic Doctor.

Do's and Don'ts

  • DO push the abdomen out as far as you can as you inhale.
  • DO NOT exhale consciously, but let the action of the abdomen do it for you.