The Art of Deep Breathing

Most people do not know that they are breathing incorrectly. The healthiest way is to breathe deep into the diaphragm. Deep breathing helps the body relax and increases energy.

When attempting deep breathing, people often do quite the opposite -- the diaphragm is sucked in and the shoulders rise. Contrary to common perception, this is shallow breathing. It is not an effective way of supplying your body with the optimum amount of oxygen.

Here are simple instructions to help you learn the art of deep breathing:

Lie down comfortably. You can also sit in a chair, but ensure that your feet are flat on the floor.
Close your eyes to minimize distraction. If you cannot close your eyes at a particular location, focus on one particular spot.
Focus completely on your deep breathing. Inhale slowly through the nose.
Imagine that your diaphragm is sinking while your lungs fill with air.
Relax the lower portion of your diaphragm while you continue deep breathing through your nose.
When you feel that you have reached your air capacity, release the air slowly through your mouth. Now imagine your diaphragm deflating.
Repeat the entire process several times.
Never stop too quickly! Always give your body some time to return to normal breathing.