This exercise will be both informative and practical on breath mechanics.
Breathe in through the nose fully and out through the mouth.
Notice how are you breathing?
Where is your attention?
Do this again,
Breathing in through the nose.
For this time,
Take your attention and follow your breath in and out again.
Keep doing this and stay with your breath.
So the science behind the breath is the diaphragmatic or belly breathing stimulates the vagus nerve which runs from the head down the neck through the chest and to the colon.
This then activates your relaxation response reducing your heart rate and blood pressure and lowering stress levels.
Therefore we can use our brain and body in a more optimal way in the way of the flow state.
So I want you to check in with your attention again.
Put one hand over your chest and one hand over your stomach.
I'm going to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth.
So if you noticed the hand on your chest rising more,
That's associated with more shallow breathing,
Can be associated with more anxiety.
If you notice the hand on your belly or stomach rising more,
That can be associated with deep breathing.
So if you notice the hand on your chest rising more,
That's associated with more shallow breathing,
With deep breathing,
Belly breathing,
Breathing in through the diaphragm,
Enhancing the autonomous cerebral and psychological flexibility,
The parasympathetic activity relating to more emotional control and psychological well-being.
As we are a living organism and living process,
It's important to understand the inner science as well as the outer science.
So feel free to use these techniques,
Tools and understanding and a practical way to come back to in any professional and personal settings.
