Due to the current Covid-19 situation, most of us are quarantined and working from home. There is also an increased level of anxiety and fear. To overcome the fear, anxiety and to improve our immunity, we will be working on the Air element present in our body, i.e the breath.
We are made up of five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether/Space. Each and every element is associated with certain parts of our body and a particular sense organ.
The Earth element is present at the base of the spine and is associated with the sense of smell.
The Water element is present close to the genital organs and urinary bladder and is associated with the sense of taste.
The Fire element is present at the naval region in the solar plexus and is associated with the sense of sight.
The Space/Ether element is present in the throat and is associated with the sense of hearing.Â
Finally, the Air element which is present at the chest region is associated with the sense of touch.
So, we all know that in the current situation of Covid-19, there is a disturbance of the air element. People are having respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, they are unable to breathe, they have cough, having chest congestion etc. In addition due to social distancing among people, the sense of touch has also diminished.
Lets work to balance/improve the air element present within our body through simple yet super effective Diaphragmatic breathing exercises. The Diaphragm is the main muscle for respiration. The simple act of breathing properly can strengthen the immune defenses. So, today we will learn to exhale or breath out, letting out all the residual air which gets accumulated in the lower parts of the lung. Usually when we breathe in, the lungs or chest expands, and when we breathe out, it contracts, very similar to when we blow a balloon, it expands and shrinks as the air releases out.
The Diaphragm is located just below the lungs, below the breast line. To perform the Diaphragmatic breathing exercise, lets lie down and rest our hands on the diaphragm to feel the movement while we breathe in and out.
You will breathe in and out through your nose for 4 seconds each. The breath should be slow and gentle. Let’s slowly breathe in 1,2,3,4 and breathe out 1,2,3,4.
Once you feel, you are able to do it effortlessly for 4 seconds, we will progress the count to 6 seconds.So, breathe in for 6 seconds, slowly and gently breathe out for 6 seconds.
Then slowly progress to 8 seconds , to 10 seconds. As you master this exercise you can reach till 1 minute.
We have seen a turtle taking one single breath in one minute and living for over 250 years. Likewise, if we take deep and long breaths we can improve our immunity, reduce stress and increase circulation throughout our body.
You can perform this exercise at anytime of the day/night. Before you get up from the bed in the morning or before going to the bed at night. You can perform this exercise as many times as times you want.
I hope you enjoyed this exercise and you’ll keep working on your diaphragm to improve your immunity.