Life begins with our first breath.
We Inhale, gather; and pull the outside in.
Exhale, Release and push the inside out.
An even exchange. In and out, In and out.
Repeat. Again and Again.
Your Rhythm is established for your lifespan, then ends with your last breath.
Since a COVID infection generally enters through the Lungs, understanding how they work, can be helpful to staying healthy these days.
Ventilation
With inhalation, air is brought in through the nose and mouth, through the pharynx, larynx and trachea, into the lungs. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract and the rib cage expands. As lung volume increases, pressure drops and air rushes in.
With exhalation, the muscles relax, the lung volume decreases, air pressure increases and air is then expelled.
This is what our breathing system does:
Oxygen from the air we breathe is diffused through millions of microscopic sacs (called alveoli) into Pulmonary Capillaries surrounding the alveoli.
The Oxygen then binds with Hemoglobin Molecules in Red Blood Cells and is pumped through the Bloodstream. Simultaneously, Carbon Dioxide from Deoxygenated Blood diffuses from the capillaries into the Alveoli and is expelled. Thus, gases are exchanged, Oxygen for carbon dioxide. This is external respiration.
Within the body, the Blood Stream carries Oxygen in the Red Blood Cells to the Capillaries, where Oxygen is released into Body Tissue. Carbon dioxide is diffused from body tissue into the Red Blood Cells and Plasma to be carried back to the Lungs and exhaled. This is Internal Respiration!
Sound
During exhalation, air is passed through the larynx; the voice box. Muscles in the larynx move cartilages when we speak, which in turn pushes the vocal cords together. When air passes through the vocal cords, they vibrate, creating sound. Greater tension creates more rapid vibrations with higher pitch. Lesser tension creates slower vibration and lower pitch.
As air enters the nasal cavities, chemicals in the air bind to and activate nervous receptors in the cilia. The brain takes the nervous signal from the nasal cavities through openings in the ethmoid bone to the olfactory bulbs and then to the cerebral cortex.
The lung function encompasses not only the breathing that enables life itself, but also gives us the ability to experience communication and sensation, opening the door to living a life of purpose and perhaps, a bit of delight.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Lungs and Large Intestine are ruled by the Metal Element of the body.
The Emotions of this element are Sadness and Grief, Valor and Courageousness.
I have been practicing the Lung Exercise from the Yin Set daily, to keep the Energy in my Lungs and Large Intestine open; Physically, Energetically and Mentally, especially at this critical time on our planet.
The benefits of the Yin Set are:
Bring more Blood and Qi into the Lungs.
Increase Energy and Stamina.
Clears the Mind of Sadness and Grief.
Helps to keep the Lymphatic System Flowing.
Strengthens the entire Respiratory System.
Increases the Breathing Capacity.
Enhances the Immune System.
Strengthens the Wei Qi (Protective Shield).
Cultivates the Emotion of Courage and Valor
Here is the Method:
Separate your arms out to shoulder level and bring your palms up, Inhale as you keep your shoulders relaxed.
Expand your chest, Inhale a little more and feel the Energy flowing in from your hands, up the arms and then filling your Lungs with white light.
Now rotate your palms facing down. Exhale as you bring the arms straight forward, bringing the Energy from the Lungs down to the lower abdominal area. Do not let the hands touch.
Turn the hands over and repeat, in sets of (3).
Note: It’s important to keep your tongue up against the back of your front teeth. This tongue position is also known as the Metal Position and is related to the Lungs and Large Intestine.
In the Yin Set there is an exercise for all the major organs and when practiced regularly, will keep you Young and Healthy.
For more information check out The Yin Set here: https://rechargingqigong.com/products/yin-set/
I wish you the Best of Health, Wealth & Happiness!
Dr. Wu Dhi
Sherwood S. Swartz AP, MMQ.
