How to breathe correctly?

The healthiest way is to breathe through your nose. “98% of people don’t breathe correctly.”, according to the breathing expert and scientologist James Nestor.

If you are a podcast fan, please listen to James in the episode “The diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett” with the title: “Breathing through your mouth can cause ADHD, Diabetes & Child sickness!” Here is the link: https://spotify.link/4Qp531A4WDb. His findings are also in his book: “Breath: The science of a lost art.” 

James’ research reflects in a scientific way, what the yoga philosophy has been teaching for >2000 years (first mentioned in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali):

• Breathe through your nose. If you are not used to this anymore, it’s possible to “reset this habit” and relearn nose breathing. Based on skeletal investigation we know our facial structure has changed over time (based on “incorrect mouth breathing”) but looking at indigenous cultures and animals (horses for example run at an incredible speed and only breathe through their nose), we know this is the correct way: Our nose filters the air, regulates the temperature and moistures automatically. It’s incredible how mouth breathing makes us sick over time.

• Make sure your spine is straight when you sit. Stand and walk as much as you can. Standing desks help with that. Inhale deeply and breathe into your abdomen and especially into your diaphragm (diaphragmatic breathing). Try to breathe subtle and slow, without making any noise.

• The healthier and larger your lungs are, the longer you will live. Your lungs are influenced by your diaphragm and your breathing capacity. It’s astonishing what a healthy lung is capable of –> That’s how free divers are able to hold their breath for several minutes.

• Frequent exercise, especially cardiovascular exercise (running, swimming, jogging, hiking, …), Yoga, Breathwork exercises (Pranayama, explained below) help you to improve your breathing and lung capacity. Focus on breathing through the nose. Yes, you can also learn to run with only nose breathing and you will see you will need to drink less water on longer distances.

• Healthy and deep breathing has a positive impact on your brain and is one of the best tools when we feel stressed. We can’t control our emotional response. But we can control our breathing, count our breaths, and our nervous system will relax automatically. No need to say this improves anxiety, depression and similar diseases.

• We need fresh air! It’s horrific how indoor carbon dioxide – and when we are not able to open the window – impacts our health and even our intelligence! It goes down to 50%! Please make sure you open your windows (and can open them in your office space) regularly.

Do you want to learn how to breathe correctly in a wonderful environment? 
I recommend you to attend a pranayama (breathwork) class. “Prana” means breath and “ayama” means control or extension.
There are many different pranayama techniques, depending on the goal you want to achieve.
You and your team will of course learn the basic techniques in my workshops.
Don’t worry: We really start with the basics while always respecting everyone’s individual body and needs.

Let me know if you have any questions or comments.