Incorrect Breathing – Poor Breathing – Self-Hypnosis

by Author Cathal O Briain in Spirituality, July 17, 2010

Extract from "Powerful Mind through Self-Hypnosis" by International Bestselling Author Cathal O’Briain.

Some people make the mistake of pulling in their bellies when inhaling because they think this will help move the air up into their lungs. Contracting the abdominal muscles while inhaling is the incorrect way to breathe. Relaxing the region and allowing it to fill up naturally by flattening the diaphragm and letting your belly rise is the correct way to breathe. This lets the air fill the base of the lungs. When your belly has fully inflated, it should remain that way until the final phase of exhalation. In the past I have observed people holding in their stomachs when trying their best to disguise their weight. On occasion I’ve even witnessed men doing this even when they were already in good physical shape. I can only conclude that they do this to accentuate their upper body, thus drawing attention to their chests instead of their stomachs. Women are also guilty of this sucking in of the belly when seeking to draw more attention to their upper body. This painful procedure, often driven by self-consciousness, should be avoided at all costs by those seeking to breathe correctly. It’s a contradiction of sorts. On one hand the person contracting their stomach does it to look well and feel confident. But on the other, it’s hard to feel confident and relaxed when you can’t breathe properly. Sucking in the belly and holding the breath restricts air flow, causing the brain and nervous system to send the wrong signals. The body only tightens up when oxygen can’t reach the muscles. A lack of clarity in thought is felt when the breath is held forcefully like this. These, along with a multitude of other side effects, are brought on by sucking in the belly for the sake of looking well to the observer. God has made you the way you are. If people can’t derive pleasure from looking at you, well frankly it’s their problem and they’ll just have to live with it.