People have lived weeks without food, days without water but life expires in just minutes without breath. Do you ever stop and think about what an important job proper breathing is doing? It is something I'm sure isn't a top priority for most of us. Oxygen is the most important  nutrient we can supply our body with. I periodically practice my favorite yoga book, Richard Hittlemans 28 day yoga exercise plan, (it was written in the 70's and has a few dated "housewife" references but I still think its the best yoga book I've read!) and I'm always surprised when I come to the pranayama exercises how much I hold my breath and have trouble breaking my shallow breath. Proper breathing has a physiological effect on the body allowing relaxation, rejuvenation, cleansing of toxins in the blood stream and muscles. The quickest way to purify the blood stream is by taking in extra oxygen from the air we breathe. The brain is the organ that requires the most oxygen and when lacking can effect vision, mental clarity, depression, and negative thoughts. Making breathing exercises part of our regular routine can have such an instant dramatic effect on our well being, just try it!!

Complete Breath Exercise
1. Sit in cross leg position
2. Slowly inhale while relaxing belly, imagine your belly is a ballon filling with air
3. Continue inhale filling your chest, your rib cage expands
4. Hold for a count of five
5. Slowly exhale relax chest and rib cage. Pull belly in to force complete exhalation
6. Practice 5 times
7. Upon completion sit quietly with eyes closed and mind relaxed :)