In anticipation of my upcoming “Yoga and the Respiratory System” workshop at Soul of Yoga’s therapeutic training in Encinitas, CA, I’m posting a snippet of an article I’ve been working on to discourage people from feeling they must always get the deepest possible breath. This is a preview of one of the topics I’ll be covering in an information-packed two days of learning and exploration at Soul of Yoga. Other topics will include:
- How breathing occurs on every level – from cells to systems and beyond
- The basics of breath physiology
- The structure and function of the diaphragm
- The key structures involved in breathing
- How breath coordinates with and supports movement
- The physiology of meditative states
- Western and yogic models of anatomy and physiology
- The physical correlates of the koshas, chakras, nadis and kundalini
If you can get to Southern California (and who doesn’t want to spend time there in December!), come join me Friday and Saturday, December 9 & 10.
The working title of the article is “Breathing Myths vs Breathing Reality.” This excerpt addresses maximal oxygenation, an often misunderstood concept related to oxygen, carbon dioxide, hyperventilation, and metabolic loads.
To read many yoga and breathing books, one could get the impression that deep breathing and maximal oxygenation are the holy grails of health, well-being and enlightenment. The assumption is that the more deeply you breathe, the more oxygen you will get in, the more carbon dioxide you will get rid of and the healthier you’ll be. The facts are:
- not enough carbon dioxide is dangerous,
- deep (maximal) breathing is only occasionally appropriate, and
- too much oxygen is toxic.
Breathing activity should always be linked to your body’s metabolic needs. If your level of activity requires a larger than usual supply of oxygen, deeper or more frequent breathing is perfectly appropriate. That same level of respiratory activity, if applied to a resting state, would produce blood alkalosis (hyperventilation).
Your body has homeostatic mechanisms that prevent a toxic excess of oxygen from building up in the tissues. The idea that one can improve health by increasing O2 concentrations in the blood is physiologically incorrect, and shouldn’t be confused with the immense relief that accompanies a deeply satisfying breath. In fact, freeing the breath allows respiratory activity to more closely match body metabolism by releasing excessive, oxygen-hungry tension from the breathing musculature.
Your body is many times more sensitive to changes in blood levels of carbon dioxide than it is to oxygen. Carbon dioxide plays a critical role in helping hemoglobin transport oxygen from your blood to your body’s tissues. If you don’t have enough CO2 in your blood, the O2 gets held too tightly by the hemoglobin, and not enough oxygen will be released into your tissues. The idea that one can improve health by ridding oneself of excess CO2 is physiologically incorrect, and shouldn’t be confused with the simple act of exhaling more effectively (which is a prerequisite for filling your lungs).
This is why I have gotten out of the habit of using the phrase “take a deep breath” when teaching yoga. Instead, I try to say things like, “take a relaxed breath” or “let your body fill with breath.” These are ways I seek to help students trust that their body knows what it is doing, and the best breathing happens when we get out of its way.
Thank you so much for tbis reminder. Cues in class are so important and is so good to be reminded as its coming back to the anatomical design of how the body breathes. Much appreciated these reminders!
I am sure you have heard this question before but what is your take with Pranayama and many of the breath exercises in Kundalini?
Hello there. Can’t make this weekend. Will you have this course again in so cal? Or online? I’m so sorry to miss it.
Peace,
Jess
Hi Leslie, was just at your workshop here in Encinitas, at the Soul..
I think beeing a S. Ca person, to have the intensity of a New Yorker, abit a Yogie, New Yorker, was almost over whelming ..but in a very engaging and postive manner.
To tell the truth I think I needed some more breathing exercises, like we did at the end of second day.in the beginning …!!!
Your voice, as I am sure you are aware of, is the Tool of unlocking a trust in a person to travel deeper int0 a space that is scared and blissful..so this is what I would offer as a suggestion for at least your classes in Cal..It was a very intense two days, and I am proudly not even aware of how much info was shared..but trusting I will be able to Breath it in and exhale with Love and support for others to do same.
My premise as a person who shares the love of YOGA with others is to encourage them to fine the truth inside of their bodies and allow the body to aline with this truth..Thank you again for all of your wisdom and deacation to helping others fine the healing from this most anicent Science..I like it best when you get more Mystical and not so analytical..speaking about the illness and such during second day in begining was almost draining me..I guess this is good for the type of person that likes all of that sort of info, but It was hard on my body…So when you kicked into the more Mystical, in my opion after lunch the light came back on.!!!
Guess you have to reach all levels and weave a web that catches all for stray treads of thought…The Diaphragm diagram reminde me of a Motrocryle Gas tank, but my abitly to speak up was not happening…Many Blessings to you and all you love and the work you are here to do…Diane Stacey
Nice! Sounds like you hooked up with a Buteyko teacher.
More like Buteyko had some exposure to the yogic technique of external retention (bhaya kumbhaka).
My teaching schedule is always available at: yogaanatomy.org/calendar
I have no opinion about the way breathing is taught by the Kundalini Yoga tradition of Yogi Bhajan other than they seem to help a lot of people who need to get high on breathing rather than drugs. Ask Russell Brand.
William Broad had a section of his book devoted to the myth that deep breathing gets more oxygen to your body.
Yes. That was one of the actual good things in Broad’s book.