Proper breathing and the ability to relax are essential aspects of dealing with stress. Their importance is recognised by many complementary health practitioners and their practice is at the core of many Eastern approaches to healthcare. Breathing Exercises and Relaxation Techniques, such as Progressive Muscular Relaxation, work by initiating the Relaxation Response – a physiological mechanism which counteracts the effects of stress and puts the body and mind into a profound state of relaxation.
There are other benefits to practising controlled Breathing Exercises and Relaxation Techniques: lowered blood pressure and levels of stress hormones, improved lung function and digestion, decreased blood sugar and cholesterol, improved immune system function, central physiological stability, greater mental clarity, calmness, and a sense of self-awareness.
Conventional medicine is increasingly valuing the health benefits of Breathing and Relaxation Techniques and they are often taught in hospital and health centres.
Treatment is especially useful in treating the following health conditions:
anxiety, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, dysmenorrhoea, eczema, endometriosis, heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, IBS, menopause, menorrhagia, pain relief, PMS, stress.
