Abdominal Breathing

 Abdominal breathing helps in three ways:

- It rejuvenates the lungs 

- Activates the organs in the abdominal region. 

- And it also calms the mind.

Significance of breath, and it's connection with the Mind.

There is an interesting saying in Vedant - The Mind is like a monkey, which is heavily drunk, and stung by the scorpion. Such is our Mind! However, there is a silver lining. The Mind rides on the horse called breath. Now you can easily establish the relationship between the two, based on your very own experience.

When we are stressed, our breath becomes heavy, and when we are calm, the breath is slow and steady. Interestingly, the converse is true as well. If we can bring calmness to the breath, the Mind also settles down. It is this relationship that the Yogis recognized thousands of years ago.

Starting posture 

- For Abdominal breathing, you can sit in any meditative posture. Keep your spine straight. This is very important.

- Gently close your eyes

- Relax your entire body, and all the muscles.

Steps

- Take your awareness to your breath. Breathe gently, to bring about harmony. 

- Breathe in from the lower part of your lungs to the count of 3 - 5, then exhale to the same count.

- The breath should be gentle, deep and expansive.

- As you breathe in, you can feel the expansion in your abdomen. However, do not expand it forcefully. 

- Feel the energization in your body and the mind

- And as you breathe out, feel completely relaxed.

- Inhale / Exhale. Do it for 5 - 7 rounds to start with.

- Be aware of the calmness in your breath and the mind.

Gently, open your eyes.

Retention of Breath

In addition to inhaling and exhaling, you may also hold the breath for the same duration after breathing. 

Limitations

Those who have very high blood pressure or heart ailment, are advised to not hold the breath.