Meditation and breathing techniques promote overall good health

Comfort Zone Yoga Center for Whole Self Healing is presenting the Breathing & Meditation for Health series this fall. Starting Tuesday, Oct. 6, and again Tuesday, Nov. 3, each series lasts four weeks and costs $50. In this program, students will learn how to breathe more effectively and quiet the mind for peaceful mediation. Prior mediation and breathing experience is not required.

Breathing is the first focus in each class because how a person breathes has a profound effect on their quality of life and overall health. Yogic breathing, called Pranayama, is a method of controlling life force through the regulation of breath. The breathing process is the foundation of all brain function and 12 energy systems of the body. It supplies oxygen to the body, cleans the blood fed to the cardiovascular system, exercises the lungs and diaphragm muscle, and plays a large role in the function of digestive and lymphatic systems.

Conversely, ineffective breathing, which includes mouth breathing and shallow breathing, has been shown to advance the cellular aging process. Depending on how a person breathes, the autonomic nervous system sends signals to the parasympathetic (relaxation) or sympathetic (flight or flight) systems.

The nervous system reacts to the breathing of the body every second of the day. Furthermore, the breathing process involves the control of the motion of inhalation, exhalation and retention. It is the only physiological function that a person can consciously control. Otherwise, it occurs from the somatic intelligence of the autonomic nervous system.

The reason so much emphasis is placed on breath in this class is the amount of influence it has on general well being. For example, the average person takes 21,600 breaths every 24 hours. This rate of breath prevents the body from entering the parasympathetic relaxed state.

Research has shown the benefits of yoga breathing include relief of asthma and upper-respiratory conditions; relief of sinus conditions; helps in treating stress-related disorders such as anxiety and depression; improves brain cell function, which improves memory and concentration; aids digestion; improves respiratory troubles; and a variety of other diseases.

Each class explores two new breathing techniques, building a foundation of health through breath. The Pranayama will then lead into deeper levels of consciousness and concentration, removing the mental disturbances that interfere with meditation. The stage is set through the breath, and a quieter mind is now available for meditation. This relaxed mental state allows for deeper meditation. Anodea Judith, an expert on healing and spirituality, likens a meditation practice to taking a shower, cleaning the house and washing clothes.

Meditation is a way to clean up a cluttered mind, clear away the old idea patterns and refresh the psyche. The guided meditation in class will help students perform these tasks and come away mentally refreshed with better clarity, mood elevation and uncommon cognition.

The Breathing and Meditation class is taught by Ed Harrold, studio owner of Comfort Zone Yoga Center for Whole Self Healing, which is located at the corner of Nassau Road and New Road.