| Most meditation practices focus to some extent | | | | There are few sources of breathing re-education |
| on the breath. Research has shown that focusing | | | | available to those who have dysfunctional |
| the mind on breathing not only leads to calmness | | | | breathing patterns such as chronic hyperventilation |
| and clarity of thought, it also has positive physical | | | | (hyperventilation syndrome) or asthma. Buteyko |
| health benefits. | | | | Breathing Educators are specially trained in this |
| Breathing is an automatic process and one which | | | | area and Buteyko practitioners are scattered |
| most of us rarely think about from day to day. | | | | throughout the world. Cardio-respiratory |
| For some of us, however, the breathing pattern | | | | physiotherapists are also knowledgeable about |
| can become disrupted, either because of an | | | | treating breathing pattern disorders related to |
| underlying medical condition such as asthma or | | | | over-breathing. If these sources of help are not |
| COPD, or because of chronic stress and anxiety. | | | | available to you then establishing a regular |
| Anxiety and breathing are closely intertwined. | | | | breathing meditation practice can also be beneficial. |
| When we are stressed, anxious or panicked the | | | | Meditation has profound affects on breathing. |
| sympathetic nervous system becomes dominant | | | | These include a decreased breathing rate and a |
| and our breathing increases - we are preparing for | | | | more regular breathing pattern. Meditation |
| 'fight or flight'. If this stress, or breathing-related | | | | engages the parasympathetic nervous system |
| medical condition (such as asthma) is ongoing then | | | | (the counter-balance to the 'fight and flight' |
| we can find ourselves developing a chronically | | | | response of the sympathetic nervous system), |
| elevated breathing rate (chronic hyperventilation) | | | | resulting in a lowering of blood pressure. |
| and an upper chest breathing pattern. This in itself | | | | Psychological benefits of meditation to breathing |
| is stressful and we start to 'feel as if there is | | | | are reduced anxiety and increased feelings of |
| something wrong with our breathing'. A vicious | | | | well-being that carry over throughout the day. |
| circle is established - stress/anxiety/asthma | | | | There are many health benefits to establishing a |
| results in an increase in breathing which leads to | | | | regular breathing meditation practice, least of |
| more anxiety and fear of there being something | | | | which is calmer, more regular breathing and a |
| seriously wrong, which ensures a sustained or | | | | quieter, happier mind. |
| chronically elevated breathing volume. | | | | |