Benefits of Healthy Breathing Habits

At the beginning of every Story and Stretch class my monkey puppet, Wanamisi, teaches the children a variety of beneficial breathing techniques for both on and off the mat, as well as how our breath affects our lives. 

The following are some of the fun, interesting, and surprising facts about breath that your child may learn from Miss Wanamisi:

* The nose has a 4-stage filtration system. By breathing into the mouth we go straight to stage 4. This easily results in sore throats, tonsillitis, and even ear infections!

* Over time, breathing through the mouth can shrink the jaw.  This results in crooked teeth, which translates into a relapse after having braces removed!

* Breathing through the mouth is one cause for children developing a lisp when they talk.

* The urge to urinate during the night is likely due to breathing with the mouth open.  When we breathe through our mouths our bladders shrink, resulting in more trips to the bathroom!

* The more breaths you take the hungrier you will be & the more acidic your body will become.

* You should exercise to the intensity that you can keep your mouth closed.

* Asthma is mostly misdiagnosed. It is often hereditary, and if you’re born with it, you will have it for life – however, through a breathing program and a change in external factors you can potentially be inhaler and steroid free for the remainder of your life!

* We naturally change sides in our sleep approximately every 30 minutes, and this is mostly due to the balancing of the breath through each of the nostrils.

* If the lungs were open flat they would cover the size of a tennis court!

* Breathing properly eases physical tension by relaxing your muscles.  When this happens your blood vessels dilate allowing your blood pressure to return to a normal level.  

* Long, slow, deep breaths allow fresh oxygen to pour into every cell in your body.  This improves the functionality of every system in your body...digestive system, immune system, nervous system, respiratory system, lymphatic system, etc.

* Long, slow, deep breaths improve your mental concentration and physical stamina.  It also triggers the release of endorphins, which improve your feelings of we-being and relieves pain!  

* Healthy breathing habits encourage the release of harmful toxins stuck in your body.  By cleansing the body in this manner you are able to direct more energy to other bodily functions.