Hysterectomy Blog: Day 9 The Gift Of Breath

Feb 13, 2019Since the #hysterectomysurgery I’ve had time to be still and just listen to my breathing. What a #gift to feel my #breath go in and out, in and out.But I have been feeling lazy about using my incentive spirometer a device used to help you keep your lungs healthy after surgery, it teaches you how to take slow deep breaths.The Sanskrit word '#prana', the Latin '#spiritus', the Chinese word ‘#chi’, the Greek '#pneuma', the Hebrew '#ruach' and the Old Norse ‘#önd’, are all words that remind us of the #therapeutic benefits of our breath. The human body is designed to discharge 70% of its toxins through breathing.

I’m fascinated by Dr Porges’ #polyvagal theory, from his influential book, ‘The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotion, Attachment, Communication and Self Regulation’, which shows that the health of the tenth cranial nerve, the #vagus nerve, which controls #respiration, also plays a distinct role in building #resilience, self-regulation, sustained #attention and the ability to #calm down after experiencing #stress.https://www.yogauonline.com/…/tapping-power-vagus-nerve-how…Because the vagal tone both influences and is impacted by respiration, we can increase vagal tone through manipulation of the breath. By slowing down our respiration through deep, intentional breathing and elongating our #exhalation, we can stimulate the vagus nerve—which can reduce #stress, #anxiety, #anger, and #inflammation by activating the "relaxation response" of the #parasympathetic nervous system.Today I had a guided mini breath-work session and a great discussion with Breath Mamma Shelly Hogan on the importance of breathing as a healing tool. She is a Certified Breathwork Facilitator, who weaves together the methods of Rebirthing and Transformative Breathwork. Www.breathmamma.comStudies reaffirm this timeless wisdom showing that breath-work reduces the "#fightorflight" response of the sympathetic nervous system and enhances vagal activity.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20954960/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25924910/As Dr Weil says, “If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly." The relaxing 4-7-8 breath is a good way to start.https://www.drweil.com/…/breathing-exercises-4-7-8-breath/1/This was a good reminder to me to use my spirometer because the greatest healing can come from the simplest decision to just breathe consciously and with #intention.