Whenever breathing comes to mind one of the first images is that of someone in a yoga pose. Yoga is strongly associated with breathing and stretching exercises however, should Christians practice them in order to obtain proper exercise?
"Yoga exercises are alleged to be purely physical with no mysticism involved. Yoga is yoga, and those various movements and stretching are designed to raise kundalini up through the chakras to join with the universal god of Hinduism. Partaking of these exercises places oneself on Satan's ground
Yoga has penetrated every aspect of society from academic institutions to health care facilities but should its health presentations be accepted as safe? Adherents may derive some physical benefit but is that the only thing perspective of concern when it comes to health? Health incorporates the three dimensions of man: mental, physical & Spiritual. The Christian's principles of healing are rooted in the bible but where is yoga rooted?
It is historically a fact that yoga is an intrinsic part of Hinduism. Laurette Willis, who was led in to New Age occultism through yoga and then delivered through faith in Christ and Obedience to God's Word, explain:
"The goal of yoga is to obtain oneness with the universe. That's also known as the process of enlightenment or union with the Brahman (Hinduism's highest god). The word yoga means union or to yoke.. Yoga wants to get students to the point of complete numbness in their minds (to open them to this force). God on the other hand, wants you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind through His Word."
It is important to have hindu's themselves explain what yoga is and this following quote will show that it is just as much a physical exercise with spiritual intents:
"Yoga is a science as well as a method of achieving spiritual harmony through the control of mind and body. The asanas (yogic postures) and pranayama (breath control) are practices that not only help us to acquire perfect health, but also develop the inner force that enables a believer to withstand stressful situations with a calm and serene mind."
Photo Showing Exercises Giving Salutation to The Sun
After reading those few quotes it should be sufficient to spark an investigation and this can assisted with the book alternative and mystical healing therapies quoted from that can be found in the bookstore. With that out of the way, how do we breathe properly? Well proper breathing involves the use of three muscles:
- The Auxiliary (Upper Chest)
- The Intercostal (Lower Chest around Ribs)
- And The Diaphragm (Abdomen)
There are three phases involved so the first step in breathing should not be deep enough to fill the entire lung. You should also observe an erect posture for this exercise to be effective as being in a bent or slumping position will restrict breathing movement. So, pull in your first grasp of air with the aim of filling the lower lung by using your abdominal muscles.
Try to fill the mid area area of the lung with air by now using the intercostal muscles around the ribs while saving remaining grasp for the final phase.
Then using the auxiliary muscles at you upper chest finish off your deep breathing exercise filling the upper area of the lung with ventilation.
To exhale this can be repeated in the reverse order and in a controlled manner to experience the benefit. We should practice this along with good posture as often as we are conscious of improper breathing. This should be repeated until it becomes a habit. The sad reality is that the lungs has a 4 to 6 litres capacity for air however, we only breathe 1-2 litres when we breathe shallow. As a result of shallow breathing many impurities are not thrown out and the body is not revived. Hence, headaches, lack of concentration, confusion and poor digestion to name a few are the resuts.
"In order to have good blood, we must breathe well. Full, deep inspirations of pure air, which fill the lungs with oxygen, purify the blood. They impart to it a bright color and send it, a life-giving current, to every part of the body. A good respiration soothes the nerves; it stimulates the appetite and renders digestion more perfect; and it induces sound, refreshing sleep." { MH 272.1}
Breathe Easy!
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