Change No.2 : Breathe
I had breast cancer that spread to the lungs. During the first stage of discovery, it was nearly impossible for me to breathe. It was painful when I breathed heavily. Now, I can jog comfortably. Abdominal breathing is one of the tools that I used to increase the amount of oxygen let into the body. This breathing method caused the lung cells at the bottom of my lungs to expand, thus removing impurities and toxic gases. For many years, I have practiced abdominal breathing every day as a measure of health.
Healing is not about waiting to see a doctor, but rather, utilizing every moment to do our part in curing the cancer within ourselves, that can hopefully affect other patients as well. The practice of abdominal breathing can be apply it at any time, and in any situation, and I would recommend it be habitual. I often use it as a supplement to certain daily routines, so that will remember--such as while I’m driving, every time I drink, or every time I see a Buddha image, etc.
I would like to share an article by from Th. BS Quan Van Hung in Tuoi Tre Newspaper’s Monday, October 22, 2018 issue, about abdominal breathing:
Practice abdominal breathing to stay healthy
Normally, the internal organs in the human body operate automatically. The heart beats by itself, the lungs breathe on their own, as the stomach digests food, the intestines contract, the kidneys self-purify the blood…etc. The automatic external respiratory apparatus. The body can also work according to our wishes. Breathing, while shallow or deep, fast or slow, active breathing has become one of the methods of qigong, and has been found to be very useful in improving health to prevent and support treatment.
Active and passive breathing
In adults, practice chest breathing. When inhaling, the chest is raised so that the volume of the chest cavity expands, the diaphragm is slightly lowered from the tissue, and the air is drawn into the lungs. When exhaling, the air is expelled, the ribcage is lowered, and the volume of the abdomen is almost unchanged. Normal natural chest breathing is enough for what the body needs.
Abdominal breathing requires attention to the breath (active breathing). As we actively inhale and try to expand the abdomen, the chest is still raised (like passive breathing), but because the abdomen is bulging, the diaphragm is pulled down, and the effect is that the volume of the chest cavity increases. Compared to chest breathing, the end result is a significant increase in the air volume for the respiratory system. When exhaling, we actively press the abdomen, pushing the excess air out. Therefore, abdominal breathing has a higher quality of respiration than chest breathing because it inhales more oxygen, also releasing more carbon dioxide.
Application of abdominal breathing
When abdominal breathing, we must pay active attention, and therefore, we must temporarily put aside overthinking, moving limbs, speaking and hearing. Thought processes are corrected, and negative emotions such as anger and fear are dissolved immediately.
The special function of the nervous system is to regulate our other organs. Abdominal breathing forces the diaphragm to raise from the lower tissue, which stimulates blood circulation in the abdomen (a form of abdominal massage), which can improve general circulation, reduce stagnation in the abdominal cavity and in the whole body. Good blood circulation reduces diseases, most notably aches and pains.
Due to its ability to regulate the nervous system, neutralize sudden emotional stressors, increase oxygen flow, and increase blood circulation through the abdominal cavity and the whole body, abdominal breathing can be applied in some cases for symptoms such as:
shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
fatigue
dizziness
severe nervousness, mild chest pain
hunger due to fasting (This is the key to dealing with discomfort during body cleansing, and is very effective.)
during meditation
temporarily pain relief
increasing the quality of respiration when exercising
calming negative emotions
when having trouble sleeping.
Abdominal breathing techniques
Stop any activity, including thinking.
Take a deep breath and try to expand your stomach. If during the first time, your stomach has not swelled, then close your eyes, breathe normally a few times, try again, persevere. When you inhale, imagine the air in your chest and abdomen expanding. Exhale to flatten stomach. Continue this for 20-30 times, you will feel a dramatic difference in your mental and physical state.
If you tried to breathe deeply and your abdomen still hasn't expanded, try using one or two hands to press the navel area while exhaling. When you inhale, notice your abdomen expanding. Continue until your abdomen is used to swelling and deflating without pressing the abdomen with your hands.
If you’re having a hard time, then "cool the porridge". Imagine yourself cooling a spoon full of hot porridge with your breath. Place the palm of your left hand about an inch from your mouth, with your right palm on your navel. Take a small breath and blow out through your mouth cooling the spoon of hot porridge in front of you, while pressing your right hand onto your stomach to flatten slowly. Exhale slowly until the breath is gone, and feel the right hand pressing on your abdomen to flatten it. Now, slowly inhale the air through your nose while releasing your right hand from your expanded abdomen. Continue to inhale and exhale deeply and slowly, feeling your right hand rise on your abdomen as it inflates to maximum capacity. Do this twice, 3 times onward, usually 5-10 times of abdominal breathing. Now put your hands on your thighs and observe your abdomen. As you inhale through the nose, the abdomen expands. As you exhale through the nose, the abdomen flattens. It may take a few times to get used to it. Inhale and exhale entirely through your nose.
Practice abdominal breathing 4 times a day. Each time, take 20 breaths (inhale + exhale), divided into 2 phases: Take 10 abdominal breaths for the first session. Pause with 10 regular breaths. Continue with 10 more abdominal breaths for the second session.
Note: During the exercise do not think about anything else. Focus completely on your breathing.
