Breathing affects your respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, muscular, and psychic systems, and also has a general effect on your sleep, memory, ability to concentrate, and your energy levels. – Donna Farhi
The respiratory system is the network of organs and tissues that helps deliver energy and oxygen to the body through the nose and mouth. It includes the airways, lungs, and blood vessels. The muscles that power your lungs are also part of the respiratory system. These parts work together to move oxygen throughout the body and clean out waste gases like carbon dioxide. Its other functions include:
Allows you to talk and to smell.
Brings air to body temperature and moisturizes it to the humidity level your body needs.
Delivers oxygen to the organs, tissues, ,and cells in your body.
Removes waste gases, including carbon dioxide, from the body when you exhale.
Protects your airways from harmful substances and irritants.
The respiratory system contains two tracts, - the upper and lower tracts - which work together to perform respiration, or the process of exchanging carbon dioxide and oxygen between your body and the atmosphere. In addition, the diaphragm, a muscle that helps the lungs pull in air and push it out, and the ribs that surround and protect your lungs and heart
Upper respiratory tract consists of everything above the vocal folds and includes the sinuses and nasal cavity, both of which are in the area behind the nose and incudes:
Mouth, nose, and nasal cavity: The mouth and nose pull air from outside the body into the respiratory system. The nasal cavity is the area directly behind the nose that allows outside air into the body. As the air comes through the nose, it encounters cilia lining the nasal cavity. These cilia help trap and dispose of any foreign particles.
Sinuses: Hollow air spaces behind the front of the skull that are located on either side of the nose and along the forehead and help regulate the temperature and humidity of the air you inhale.
In addition to entering through the nasal cavity, air can also enter through the mouth. Once air enters the body, it flows into the lower portion of the upper respiratory system with the pharynx and larynx.
The pharynx, or throat, allows for the passage of air from the nasal cavity or mouth to the larynx and trachea.
The larynx, or voice box, contains the vocal folds that are necessary for us to speak and make sounds.
After air enters the larynx, it continues down into the lower respiratory tract, which begins with the trachea.
Lower respiratory tract consists of everything below the vocal folds.
The trachea, or windpipe, is the passage that allows air to flow directly to the lungs. This tube is very rigid and is composed of multiple tracheal rings. Anything that causes the trachea to narrow, such as inflammation or obstruction, restricts oxygen flow to the lungs.
In the lungs, the trachea branches off into two bronchi, or tubes, that lead into each lung. These bronchi then continue to branch off into smaller bronchioles. Finally, these bronchioles end in alveoli, or air sacks, that are responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Did you know that there are about 300 million alveoli in the adult lung. The alveolar sacs consist of many alveoli and are composed of a single layer of epithelial tissue. If these alveoli were pressed flat and spread out they would take up the space of a football field. That is, a football field (including the two end zones) is 360 feet long and 160 feet wide for a total of 57,600 square feet!
The primary function of the lungs is to exchange oxygen for carbon dioxide. When we breathe, the lungs inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged in the alveoli through the following steps:
The heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs. This deoxygenated blood contains carbon dioxide, which is a by-product of our everyday cellular metabolism.
Once the deoxygenated blood reaches the alveoli, it releases the carbon dioxide in exchange for oxygen. The blood is now oxygenated.
The oxygenated blood then travels from the lungs back to the heart, where it’s released back into the circulatory system.
Along with the exchange of minerals in the kidneys, this exchange of carbon dioxide in the lungs is also responsible for helping to maintain the pH balance of the blood.
Many conditions can affect the organs and tissues that make up the respiratory system. Some develop due to irritants in the air, including viruses or bacteria that cause infection. Others occur as a result of disease or aging.
Conditions that can cause inflammation (swelling, irritation, and pain) or otherwise affect the respiratory system include:
Allergies: Proteins, such as dust, mold, and pollen, can cause inflammation in the airways and respiratory allergies.
Asthma: Causes inflammation in the airways that can make breathing difficult.
Infection: Common respiratory infections include the flu (influenza) or a cold can lead to pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs) or bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes).
Disease: Respiratory disorders include lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These illnesses can harm the respiratory system’s ability to deliver oxygen throughout the body and filter out waste gases.
Aging: Lung capacity decreases as we age.
To keep the respiratory system healthy:
Avoid pollutants that can damage the airways, including secondhand smoke, chemicals, and radon (a radioactive gas that can cause cancer).
Wear a mask if exposed to fumes, dust or other types of pollutants for any reason.
Don't smoke.
Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables and drink water to stay hydrated
Exercise regularly.
Prevent infections by washing the hands often.
Use a Neti pot, nebulizer, or steam to remove mucus and pollution from the nasal passages
Practice meditation to reduce stress, calm the mind, regulate breathing patterns, and to help to dissolve and release negative emotions.
Practice yoga to improve posture and keep the body’s channels open and free flowing. Linking breath and movement is an optimal way to invite space and increase vitality within the body’s tissues and organs. Asana or postures that move the rib cage and stretch the intercostal muscles help to keep lungs healthy. By bringing more flexibility into the ribs, back and shoulders, the lungs can expand more fully. Sun Salutations continuously linked with a yoga practice including many standing postures can help to raise the heart rate and improve lung function.
Practice Pranayama (Prana refers to the universal life force and ayama means to lengthen and regulate) to cleanses and strengthens the physical body while calming and clearing the mind' it also conditions the diaphragm while helping to more fully oxygenate the blood.
Get a massage to loosen up the lymphatic tissues and allows for the release of toxic buildup and enhance the deep relaxation response that will calm the connective tissues of the pulmonary system.
Enjoy these practices with crystals and essential oils.
Crystals: Adamite, Amber, Amethyst, Angelite, Aventurine, Carnelian, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla, Dioptase, Flint, Garnet, Green Calcite, Gold, Hematite, Hiddenite, Indicolite, Kunzite, Morganite, Moss Agate, Opal, Peridot, Pink Opal, Pyrite, Rhodolite, Rose Quartz, Rubellite, Topaz, Turquoise, Watermelon Tourmaline, Zoisite.
Essential Oil Blends:
Breathe™ helps to clear and open the nasal passages and supports the relief of sinus pressure from chronic sinus infections and/or sinus issues related to allergies.
Histamine Balance™ helps to balance the histamine response as histamine performs critical functions in body, contributing to HCL production and neurotransmitter signals.
Lung Support™ helps to support the release of emotional grief to enhance breath and life energy.
Sinus Support™ helps to clear and open the nasal passages and supports the relief of sinus pressure from chronic sinus infections and/or sinus issues related to allergies.
Parasympathetic™ helps to melt away stress, elevate mood, boost energy, improve digestion, and to regain focus. The parasympathetic state of the Autonomic Nervous System is influenced by external factors like breathing.
Single Oils:
Bergamot contains camphene, a compound similar to camphor and has a cooling, refreshing effect on the lungs. Its antioxidant properties may also ward off harmful germs.
Eucalyptus radiata provides cooling, natural support for deep and clear breathing. Eucalyptus radiata is rich in cineoles which studies have found that cineole may help break up mucus and reduce inflammation.
Frankincense used to treat coughs, catarrh, bronchitis, asthma, and more.
Ginger promotes easier breathing by opening up airways and diminishing inflammation. Use Ginger in a combination with Bergamot to ease breathing difficulties and support healthy energy levels and feelings of wellbeing.
Juniper berry supports clear breathing, detoxification and cleansing
Peppermint contains menthol, which works as a decongestant — it shrinks the swollen membranes in the nose, making it easier to breathe more deeply. It also loosens mucus that’s collected in the lungs.
Rose Geranium assists in promoting vitality and easier breathing.
Rosemary Verbenone clears and decongests the respiratory system and regenerates and invigorates the entire nervous system, too. Like Eucalyptus Radiata, Rosemary Verbenone contains the compound cineole, which breaks up mucus and reduces inflammation.
Tea Tree used to treat colds and flus. Use alone or combination with eucalyptus and lavender.
On Wednesday, March 10, Nubia Teixeira, yogini, author, and classical Indian Odissi dancer, will demonstrate how using pranayama breathing techniques, along with mudras — the art of using your hands to create a flow of energy in the body — will help purify, heal, and energize you.
In this free, energizing 60-minute event, you’ll discover:
Why modulated breathing is essential to wellbeing
Ways to relax and rebalance your nervous system
The 4 phases of a breath — and what each phase represents
How mudras will awaken and empower the mystical and the spiritual
How yogic bandhas will activate and balance the inner organs and glands of the body
More than anything, you’ll experience how breathwork grounds you, helping you become more stable so you can face life’s challenges with grace.
You can RSVP for free here.
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