Air ~ the breath of LIFE!  Breathing is life-giving.  We can last quite a while without food or water, as compared to air.

Deep breathing raises levels of blood oxygen, stimulates the digestive process, and improves fitness and mental performance.  As you can see, deep breathing is important for all of our bodies:  mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.  You might ask, what does it have to do with our spiritual body.  However, when you really think about it, if we are indeed spiritual beings having a physical existence, it is our BREATH (or our “spirit”) that actually “animates” our physical body.  

"Breathing incorrectly can produce tension, exhaustion and vocal strain, interfere with athletic activity and encourage aches and illnesses," says Nancy Zi, a Glendale, Calif.-based breathing expert and author of the book and video set, "The Art of Breathing." Breathe correctly, however, and you can "melt away tension and stress, improve energy or simply relax and unwind."

Breathing is definitely an “Art”!  Breath is the most important of all the bodily functions.  Proper breathing is one of the most important things you can do for maintaining your health.  There is a right way and a wrong way to breathe.  Children breathe deeply, from their diaphragm.  As we age, however, our breathing shifts to the chest and becomes more shallow and more rapid.  Deep breathing is essential to good health.  I recommend taking a few minutes each day to practice breathing deeply.

Alternative health icon Dr. Andrew Weil says: "If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly”.  Here’s one more tip ~ LAUGH, a real deep “belly” laugh.  When you are laughing that way, you are also breathing from that deep place.  Pets can bring joy and often laughter to your home!  Remember to “lighten up” and breathe deeply.

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