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Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

nytimes.com

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Re: Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

#61

Post by mettamage »

skilled wrote: post #2

It's interesting to see these modernization attempts for ancient wellness 'technology' that dates back thousands of years. I am, of course, talking about yoga, and more specifically -- pranayama. Otherwise known as the 'science of breath'. You don't have to believe in anything to practice different breathing techniques, and the results are absolutely there. I have met freedivers who build up their lung capacity stric…

Are there books about pranayama and neuroscience that one can point me to? For meditation I found Search Inside Yourself to be a good book. I wish there was a book like that for yoga.

Re: Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

#62

Post by graeme »

tgb wrote: post #55
bitexploder wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One breathing technique and why I think the some of the Yoga works is pretty simple. I am not sure if Yoga would reset the fight/flight response further. 4x4 breathing. It mimics deep sleep and presses the reset button on the sympathetic nervous system. This helps with anxiety a lot. The technique is simple. Breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds , breath out for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds. I notice I do tend…

Is this technique supposed to be uncomfortable to do? I've come across this and tried it multiple times now and holding my breath is not particularly pleasant. I've seen this suggested to help one fall asleep but it's never helped me and my response is usually mild discomfort. Not sure if this is intended.

When I did it, I had the sensation of being denied breath. Mildly unpleasant, but I think this is what forced present focus and got me out of stress.

Not very unpleasant mind you. Same level as seeing how long you can hold your breath, except much less intense.

Re: Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

#63

Post by maxxxxx »

albanberg wrote: post #53
maxxxxx wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Where do you practice? I would love to have a teacher that understands pranayama and can prescribe the right technique. Most teachers just know asana.

I practice on my own. In our tradition, yoga is taught one to one. There are some classes you can find, but the intent of these is to introduce people to the tradition and for people to get to know the teacher a bit before doing private sessions. Yoga is taught this way so that the program that a person follows has been customized for their situation. This can have a great effect. Back to your question. My teacher is…

Cool. The Desikachar and Krishnmacharya people seem really good and very practical. I have done some trainings with Gray Kraftsow and I would love to have someone with that depth of knowledge guide my practice.

Re: Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

#64

Post by albanberg »

maxxxxx wrote: post #63
albanberg wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I practice on my own. In our tradition, yoga is taught one to one. There are some classes you can find, but the intent of these is to introduce people to the tradition and for people to get to know the teacher a bit before doing private sessions. Yoga is taught this way so that the program that a person follows has been customized for their situation. This can have a great effect. Back to your question. My teacher is…

Cool. The Desikachar and Krishnmacharya people seem really good and very practical. I have done some trainings with Gray Kraftsow and I would love to have someone with that depth of knowledge guide my practice.

Oh, cool that you've had some experience with it!

Re: Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

#65

Post by the-pigeon »

bitexploder wrote: post #25
skilled wrote: post #2

It's interesting to see these modernization attempts for ancient wellness 'technology' that dates back thousands of years. I am, of course, talking about yoga, and more specifically -- pranayama. Otherwise known as the 'science of breath'. You don't have to believe in anything to practice different breathing techniques, and the results are absolutely there. I have met freedivers who build up their lung capacity stric…

One breathing technique and why I think the some of the Yoga works is pretty simple. I am not sure if Yoga would reset the fight/flight response further. 4x4 breathing. It mimics deep sleep and presses the reset button on the sympathetic nervous system. This helps with anxiety a lot. The technique is simple. Breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds , breath out for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds. I notice I do tend…

You could also argue that is has nothing to do with breathing.

But rather it's conditioning to switch to a less anxious mode. So if you practice doing anything physical while becoming calmer then eventually you'll imprint conditioning on yourself . So that when you go through those motions, regardless of it they are a way of breathing, moving your fingers, walking, whatever, just something very specific then you'll trigger the emotional change too.

Not to say the technique doesn't work. Just that it's difficult to isolate what actually makes things work and we often jump to an unsupported conclusion.

Re: Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

#66

Post by the-pigeon »

toyg wrote: post #11
Etheryte wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I'm not a scientist in the given field, my personal experience is that people get used to smells very quickly. That's also why historically manual dry rot searchers were notorious for running around buildings fast — once your body gets used to the scent, it's filtered out. I doubt an hour in a given environment would give you much advantage over say five minutes.

It’s actually one of the clearest showcases for humans’ astonishing talent of adapting to their surroundings. You can throw humans in shit-filled holes and, after a few hours, they just won’t care about the smell. It shows, at micro level, the sort of skill that led our species to planet domination.

Is there any reason to assume most mammals don't also have olfactory fatigue? Seems unlikely to be a human only thing.

Re: Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

#67

Post by aryamaan »

bitexploder wrote: post #58
aryamaan wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> “let the breath happen.” This is the one part I specifically struggle with one I am meditating and focusing on my breaths. They are never happening on their own but run in manual mode.

I can’t even remember when, but at some point I was just beside my breath and not controlling it. Guided meditation can help here. Sam Harris (Waking Up) is good. I found some of the concepts in how to meditate he presents lead to some noticeable improvement in my practice.

thanks for the response. I will definitely check it out.

Re: Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

#68

Post by jokoon »

No idea why I'm often unable to breath through my nose, it's clogged. I have a history of chronic rhinitis. Even when I blow my nose and remove what's in it, it seems the inside of my sinus is completely swollen. I already have done allergy tests, without results. No idea if it's a result of hygiene, or some chemical that it's a soap or food, acarians, some fungi, or else.

I've read that a deviated septum is a common problem.

The worst thing is that breathing through the mouth can also make dental problem worse.

Not to mention I'm completely unable to breath in only using my nose when running. Not sure if it's normal.

What is certain is that I grew up in the center of a large city as a kid, and it might have done some damage to my respiratory system.

Re: Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

#69

Post by orhmeh09 »

albanberg wrote: post #40
andrewl wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What are the negative effects people get when they don't work with a teacher?

There could be many different issues that could arise, it depends on the person. I will note an experience that I had. I had been doing a Viniyoga practice for 1 or 2 years. I do pranayama in my asana (the physical exercises) and at this time I was not doing a separate pranayama practice. My teacher changed the pranayama in my practice and I became ill as if having a bad flu and I had some nasty boils break out on my…

What do you mean by detoxing before doing that type of pranayama ?

Re: Breathing Through the Nose May Offer Unique Brain Benefits

#70

Post by mactrey »

jokoon wrote: post #68

No idea why I'm often unable to breath through my nose, it's clogged. I have a history of chronic rhinitis. Even when I blow my nose and remove what's in it, it seems the inside of my sinus is completely swollen. I already have done allergy tests, without results. No idea if it's a result of hygiene, or some chemical that it's a soap or food, acarians, some fungi, or else. I've read that a deviated septum is a common…

I can't either. I've always thought it was due to allergens but I really don't have evidence to support that. I've never seen a doctor for it.
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