Improve Your Breathing – Staying Healthy
There is a common belief among many that inhalation naturally precedes exhalation. This assumption is widespread, possibly because breathing in seems to be the first instinct we associate with life. However, in the world of yoga and breathwork, there is a more nuanced understanding of the breath cycle. Interestingly, about 20% of yoga practitioners hold a different view—believing that exhalation comes before inhalation.
The Experiment: Breath Holding
To explore this deeper, try a simple yet powerful experiment: hold your breath for 40 seconds. Imagine yourself in a state similar to a baby in the womb, just moments before birth. In this moment, as you hold your breath, you replicate a state of suspension—a pause between two phases of breath.
When the baby is born, the question arises: what happens first? Is it inhalation or exhalation?
Insights from the Womb to Birth
During this experiment, you may notice that after holding your breath, the natural response of the body is to exhale first. This reflects a significant moment of life, mirrored in birth. When a baby emerges from the womb, it has been in a state of suspended breathing, surrounded by amniotic fluid. Upon birth, the first breath is not necessarily an inhalation, but a clearing out—a release or exhalation.
Thus, the exhalation seems to come before the first, deliberate inhalation. This initial expulsion clears the lungs and makes way for the first breath of life.
Many people believe that inhalation is the key force that sustains life. While inhaling brings oxygen into the body, this mindset can lead to a subtle yet potentially harmful habit: the tendency to focus too much on breathing in, often at the expense of exhalation. When we think that inhalation alone is what keeps us alive, we may instinctively try to breathe in more air, which can create an imbalance in the natural breath cycle.
The Consequences of Over-Inhalation
When the focus is placed excessively on inhaling, air can become trapped inside the body. This often happens because the natural, full exhalation is neglected or shortened. Instead of releasing the breath completely, we accumulate air without properly clearing it out. Over time, this buildup can lead to tension in the lungs, diaphragm, and chest, potentially contributing to certain health issues, such as:
- Shallow breathing: Breathing that never fully expels stale air leads to a lack of fresh oxygen exchange.
- Increased stress and anxiety: Shallow or imbalanced breathing can activate the body’s stress response, leading to a cycle of tension and anxiety.
- Respiratory discomfort: Trapped air can restrict the lungs, making it harder for the body to function optimally.
This trapped air can cause an unhealthy pattern in the body, where the breath does not flow naturally and smoothly. When air remains stuck in the system, it may contribute to energy blockages or even breathing-related illnesses.
Restoring Balance: The Importance of Exhalation
In some yogic breathing practices, the breath is seen as a continuous, balanced cycle of inhalation and exhalation, where each part supports the other. If you only focus on breathing in, without giving equal attention to breathing out, you lose the rhythm that is essential for healthy breathing. The exhalation is just as vital as the inhalation, if not more so, because it allows the body to release toxins, stale air, and tension.
By giving proper attention to exhaling fully, you free up space for the next, deeper breath in. This natural rhythm promotes better oxygen flow, reduces stress, and keeps the body in balance.
Letting Go to Breathe Freely
Rather than seeing inhalation as the sole cause of life, it’s essential to recognize the whole breath cycle. Life depends on both taking in and letting go. In fact, it is often the act of letting go—through a full, complete exhalation—that enables life to flow freely. Without allowing the air to leave the body, we disrupt the natural balance and may inadvertently create conditions for discomfort or illness.
By shifting the focus to exhalation, we create space for effortless, healthy inhalation and restore harmony to the breath and body.