There is a lot of talk these days about detoxing our bodies. This makes sense considering how many toxins we are exposed to every day; from the environment and the foods we eat. Stress alone can cause a buildup of toxins in our body, as it affects gut health and inflammation levels.
Signs It’s Time for a Detox
If you are feeling unusually tired, bloated, or irritable; or if you are suffering from an increase in allergies, irritated skin, or poor memory, it may be time for a good detox. Fortunately, you will find all sorts of remedies online to help, such as:
- Juice cleanse.
- Fasting.
- Skin brushing.
- Eating organic.
The Overlooked Power of Breath
All of these are effective methods, and ones you might want to add to your ongoing body-care regime. But there is one method I’d like to recommend that we tend to overlook. It’s so simple and won’t even cost you a penny.
Your breath.
Not only is breath vital for life, but it also plays a critical role in our quality of life.
Breath is what moves oxygen throughout our bodies, helping us absorb the key vitamins, minerals, and nutrients we need for a healthy lifestyle. It’s also a key tool in flushing the lymphatic system, which produces a natural detoxification of the body.
How Breathing Activates the Lymphatic System
The lymphatic system is directly linked to the health of our immune system. Unfortunately, it does not have a pump to initiate automatically the disposal of toxins or the movement of infection-fighting white blood cells. Rather, it relies on deep breathing for activation.
But if you are anything like me, when you’re busy or stressed, you tend to hold your breath. Which is why it’s important to stop and take mini breaks throughout the day to breathe deep.
Deep Breathing with Pilates
I first began to understand the power of deep breathing when I started practicing Pilates.
I was introduced to this exercise system when it exploded in popularity in the early 2000s. It’s still one of my favorite go-to exercises because I find it so efficient and convenient. All it requires is your body and a mat, and it’s great for increasing lung capacity, improving posture, and strengthening the core. In Pilates, you perform specific, concentrated movements that work the deepest muscles of the body, simultaneously lengthening and strengthening them. The discipline draws from many different exercise styles and follows six main principles with the foundation being breath.
However, Pilates breath is different from Yoga and many other forms of relaxation breathing as the breath is inhaled through the nose and exhaled through pursed lips. This does a fine job of releasing muscle tension, contracting the ab and pelvic muscles, and activating the lymphatic system, all important for detoxification.
In fact, the founder, Joseph Pilates, designed breath work to cleanse the bloodstream through oxygenation. Expelling stale, unhealthy air from the lungs and replenishing the body with fresh oxygen that revitalizes. As a child, he suffered from asthma and was frequently ill, which fueled his efforts to develop a system that would strengthen his weak, unhealthy body. He went on to share this system with fellow internees in WWI and credited it to helping each one maintain their health through the deadly influenza epidemic of 1918. Pilates then brought the system to America in the 1920s and used it to train and maintain the health and strength of athletes, models, and actors. Now, more than 100 years later, you’ll find this system widely accessible in gyms, studios, and online.
As we move into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s important to find simple, convenient ways to destress and detox your body, so you can stay energized and strong for all the added tasks and events on your calendar. Why not give Pilates breath a try?
How to Start Deep Breathing Practice
To start, find a quiet space every day for a few minutes of breath work. Then be intentional to utilize these deep breaths throughout each day to clear your mind, calm your nerves, and detox your entire body.
It is important to note that the key to this type of breathing is to draw the breath upward and into the back of the body and the sides of the ribcage. Learning to breathe in this manner is important because it allows you to contract your abs while still taking in a full breath, which is necessary when exercising or moving through daily activities. Contracting your abs through movement is what will protect from injury.
Step-by-Step Breathing Exercise
Find a quiet space in your home or office and do the following:
- Lie on your back with your feet flat on the floor, shoulders pressing down into the floor.
- Place your hands on either side of your rib cage.
- Take a deep breath in (inhale through the nose) and focus on expanding your sides and back of your ribcage.
- Breathe out (exhale through the mouth) slowly, allowing the rib cage to decrease in size and letting your hands come together.
- Allow all the air to leave your lungs and feel your ab muscles activate to assist in the exhalation.
- Repeat five times, or until you notice a release of stress and muscle tension.
Feels good, doesn’t it?
Remember…👇🏼
Breathe deep!
Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
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Author Bio:
Karen Ferguson is an author, content creator, and the owner of Illuminate Communications. Her mission is to use the power of words to inspire, encourage, and enlighten readers of all ages on their whole-life journey, helping them settle into their unique, God-given identity and purpose. Karen creates online content and digital products designed to touch the heart and nourish the mind, body, and spirit. She self-published her first book in 2017, a 21-day devotional calledBreath of Life: Living God’s Promise of Peace in the 7 Dimensions of Wellness. She is also the author of the children’s book series, Questions for Kids, published through Ambassador International. You can connect with Karen on Facebook and Instagram and sign up for her free newsletter to be the first to know about book updates, giveaways, and more.