Enjoy this beautiful 60 second meditation from Ram Dass (April 6, 1931- December 22, 2019). You can find this meditation and others alongside articles, mantras and more teachings by Ram Dass here ~> RamDass.org
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2020-02-29 14:33:352025-12-06 14:59:03Ram Dass 60 Second Meditation
Lemon Drop Coconut Snowballs are delish little bites of bliss! Enjoy for snack, holiday party dessert, or pre/post workout boost. I served them at my recent Manifesting Your Deepest Heart’s Desire Yoga Workshop… always a hit. Without further ado let’s get to the recipe…
Lemon Drop Coconut Snowballs(makes approximately 24 snowballs)
2 cups raw Cashews
2 cups unsweetened flaked coconut separated into 1 1/2 c & 1/2 c)
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 rounded Tbsp (or to taste) raw honey or maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp vanilla powder or extract
2-3 Tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp lemon zest
Place cashews, 1 1/2 cups coconut, lemon juice, honey, coconut oil and vanilla in food processor and pulse until mixture is sticky when pressed together (for a little more texture) or until a sticky mound forms (for a smoother texture). Remove and form into small balls. Combine the leftover 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut and 3 tbsp lemon zest by fluffing with a fork. Roll balls in mixture to coat. Place balls in freezer or fridge to set. Serve directly out of freezer or fridge for more bite, or allow to soften at room temperature for a moist, chewy texture. Store leftovers in fridge/freezer in tightly closed container. Please note: measurements are fairly flexible so feel free to play around according to your taste/texture preferences. Enjoy!
Do you have a favorite vegan or raw vegan recipe? Have you ever considered a vegan or raw vegan lifestyle? Share any questions and/or comments you have below!
"Silence has three gates to pass. One is the most peripheral: speaking. Speak only telegraphically. Speak the essential and you will be surprised that almost ninety per cent of your talking is useless; only ten per cent will do. And you will also be surprised — that ten per cent will become more effective because that ninety per cent, that unnecessary burden is no more there.
Words become more pregnant when you don't go round-about, when you go directly. And if one has to be telegraphic one has to go directly. That's why you can write a long letter but it doesn't have that effect — a small telegram is more effective […]
All the great scriptures of the world are telegraphic. That is the meaning of the sanskrit word sutra — just a hint has been given but very pregnant. This is the first step: be telegraphic, speak the essential. And drop the non-essential and then the second step. Think only the essential and you will be surprised. Ninety-nine per cent is unessential; only one percent maybe is essential. That too I say maybe, perhaps; otherwise it is all holy cow dung.
So drop thinking unnecessarily about unnecessary things […]
So drop useless thinking and you will be saving so much energy that the third step can be taken. the third step is the most subtle: feel only the essential. And if you come to the essential then there is only love. Anger, greed, lust — all these things are non-essential. They are parasites, they are exploiting you. When you come to the essential only love remains. And when your heart is only full of love you can enter into the very centre of silence.
These three things have to be passed: the outer part of the mind — talking; the inner part of the mind — thinking; and the innermost part of the mind — feeling. And when you have passed all these three then there is silence. And that silence is the door to the divine."
— OSHO, The Sound of One Hand Clapping, Chapter #19 – 19 March 1981 pm
As discussed in Part I, Pranayama, in Yoga, is the practice of controlling the breath, which is the source of our pranah, or vital life force. If we control the breath, we control the mind. Stated differently, fast breathing = restless mind; still breath = still mind and clear perception. When the breath is still, the mind is still.
Pranayama, the constriction of airways via controlled breathing techniques, leads to higher levels of CO2 which improves O2 delivery throughout the tissues of the body and dilates brain capillaries – creating an incredible health cascade. Without further ado, let's look further into the incredible benefits of Pranayama Practice, the fascinating science behind it, and learn a simple Pranayama technique we can employ anywhere, anytime to induce a calm clear disposition.
Ray Peat Findings
Ray Peat made several additional observations of Pranayama and it's resulting increase of CO2's affect on the body:
CO2 has an electronic affect on hemoglobin allowing for the release of Oxygen into tissues.
CO2 structures water in the cell eliminating edema (water retention) in the cell. As CO2 restores order within the cell nerve cells are stabilized increasing the state of calm in the body.
CO2 inhibits lactic acid formation.
High levels of CO2 strengthens bones/leads to bone mineralization.
CO2 optimizes energy production in the mitochondria.
CO2 is a major regulator of metabolism and is also involved in bronchodilation and muscle relaxation.
CO2 leads to higher levels of hydrochloric acid
CO2 protects from lung injuries.
Simple Pranayama for Anyone from Beginners to Experienced Practitioners
This simple Pranayama technique is wonderful to calm down prior to a performance, speech or simply reduce feelings of anxiety. As with all pranayama, it is based on the aforementioned science that slowing down breathing will calm the mind (in addition to the dozens of additional benefits).
Take a deep breath
Inhale for 3 counts. Exhale for 3 counts. Repeat 3x.
Inhale for 4 counts. Exhale for 4 counts. Repeat 3x.
Inhale for 6 counts. Exhale for 6 counts. Repeat 3x.
Inhale for 8 counts. Exhale for 8 counts. Repeat 3x.
Inhale for 10 counts. Exhale for 10 counts. Repeat 3x.
Inhale for 12 counts. Exhale for 12 counts. Repeat 3x.
And that's it! Change your breath. Change your life!
Do you practice Pranayama? What is your experience of the benefits? Please feel free to share any questions and comments you have.
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2019-05-11 16:53:002025-12-06 14:59:09Part II Benefits & Science of Pranayama (Breathing Practices) in Yoga
You're personally invited to join me for a beautiful, invigorating & rejuvenating 55 Min Beginner Vinyasa Yoga Flow complete with Yoga Nidra Savasana… all in the comfort of home.
If you have any questions or would like guidance I'll happily answer all your questions in the comments below. Please like, subscribe/share & give a thumbs up to leave your support.
All Love. Namaskar.
~Jayashrii
(my Sanskrit name given by my dear Teacher in India)
https://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.png00Juliane Porterhttps://stylenectar.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/stylenectar.pngJuliane Porter2019-01-25 15:03:312025-12-06 14:31:26Full Free 50 Min Vinyasa Yoga Flow for Experienced Beginners to All Levels
These two darling Irish siblings completely captured my heart. Glowing with such absolute beauty, joy and love… I've truly fallen in love with them. (Please forgive the glare as the paint is still wet!)
I approached this oil painting, "Irish Twins" (18 x 14 oil on panel), in an entirely new manner. All the plein air painting I've done has made me an even faster more energetic and spontaneous painter. The reason being in just one hour outside painting, the entire scene will have changed entirely due to the swiftly moving light. Therefore, one must respond to the scene quickly or it won't get captured. The beauty is this speed leaves no time to engage with distracting conversations in the head… only time to let life flow through and work its magic on the canvas.
So, this is how I'm painting everything now and it's so much fun! I watch the painting come to life, as I let life do all the work. It's almost an out of body experience as I continually drop the conversation, all the planning, all the stuff that makes for an "effortful" experience… and just let it flow. From this approach I do not know what the piece is going to look like at the end… and that's hugely entertaining for me as well - watching the piece unfold, come into focus, as if I'm a bystander. What starts as big shapes of color begins to refine into actual beings in front of me, full of love, joy, laughter and personality.
Life is so much better of a painter than I ever could hope to be.
Please enjoy and feel free share your thoughts 🙂
Love,
Juliane
Contact me to paint a portrait, landscape or anything else for yourself or your loved ones.
Pranayama, in Yoga, is the practice of controlling the breath, which is the source of our pranah, or vital life force. If we control the breath, we control the mind. Stated differently, fast breathing = restless mind; still breath = still mind and clear perception. When the breath is still, the mind is still.
Pranayama should only be practiced: after at least a year of asana practice, if one follows a Sattvic Diet, and if one practices the Kriyas (cleansing techniques). It must always be taught under the guidance of an experienced teacher and should never be learned from books. It is said that Pranayama, practiced correctly, has the power to cure all disease. Conversely, pranayama practiced incorrectly, can be the cause of all disease. One must practice slowly and steadily as Pranah must only be raised slowly and steadily. Let's look into the incredible benefits of Pranayama Practice and the fascinating science behind it for further clarification.
THE PRANENDRIYA
There is a tiny organ in the middle of the chest which controls pranah. Prana is the universal energy, magnetism, electricity while Pranah (with an "h" on the end) refers to Life Force in a living being. Pranah consists of 10 Vayus, or vital force within various parts of the body. Although Pranah is one homogeneous energy, it can be divided into these 10 Vayus. The Vayus control all the moving faculties within the body. For example, The Apanu Vayu runs from the naval to the perineum, controlling excretion. The Prana (different than Prana/Pranah) Vayu runs from the naval to the throat, controlling respiratory breathing.
The whole science of Pranayama is based on the Pranendriya pulsating in synchronization with the breath. When we breath fast or irregularly we experience a lack of clarity, impaired sensory perception and a restless mind. On the other hand, when we breath slowly with regulation, the Prenendriya is in a state of pause and we're able to perceive accurately, think clearly and experience peace of mind. Pranayama techniques are first used to calm the mind so we can meditate, especially via the technique of Kumbacha (breath retention) practiced by yogis since Vedic times, which slows the breath and retains it for a period of time, leading to transcendence of duality.
KUMBACHA & THE BOHR AFFECT
As we're aware, breathing delivers oxygen from the air, through the respiratory system, to be converted into energy within the body’s cells. Oxygen is transported in blood by hemoglobin (in the red blood cells), however, oxygen needs to be released from the hemoglobin in order to be absorbed in the body. Here is the fascinating piece. When there is a higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, hemoglobin releases oxygen, allowing more oxygen to reach our organs, muscles and tissues and be converted into energy. So, carbon dioxide, commonly only thought of as a toxic gas, turns out to be a key feature in enabling oxygen to get to where it is needed in the body.
The Bohr Affect refers to scientific studies by Danish Scientist, Christian Bohr, who discovered this fact, that Carbon Dioxide is essential in helping oxygen to release its bond with hemoglobin, and thereby, as a person’s oxygen levels increase in the blood stream, carbon dioxide levels then drop. So, without a healthy level of CO2, oxygen cannot be released, which is the root cause of many disorders. Stated simply, high levels of CO2 indicates greater absorption of Oxygen into the blood which means Hemoglobin's Oxygen binding capacity is inversely related to CO2 concentration. Without proper levels of CO2, Oxygen can't be released from the red blood cells into the tissues. CO2 increases the capacity for Oxygen absorption. Even if there is a lot of Oxygen in the blood, it can't be absorbed unless there is enough CO2.
Kumbacha (breath retention) allows blood chemistry to normalize via the balancing of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) via two controls, the Heart Sensor located near the heart and the Brain Sensor, in the brain. When blood is low on oxygen (O2) the Heart Sensor notices and it speeds up respiration. When the body is low on Carbon Dioxide (CO2) the body responds via the Brain Sensor, which tells the body to slow down respiration.
The lowering of CO2 affects blood acid balance which causes blood vessels in the brain (the capillaries) to constrict reducing the amount of oxygen in the brain, in which case, the Brain Sensor signals the body to slow down breathing. In other words, to get oxygen to the brain, we need to breath slowly, and we need enough CO2. Stated yet another way: slowing down our breathing increases CO2 in the blood, which in turn increases the necessary oxygen to the brain, and in turn stimulates brain capillaries to dilate so blood can flow through them. Brain function is improved, thereby improving the function of the entire body. It is totally wrong to say CO2 is a waste product.
THE HALDANE AFFECT
John Scott Haldane found the deoxygenation of blood increases it's capacity for CO2, which means the more the tissues can absorb Oxygen, the more CO2 increases. Hyperventilation, or fast breathing or hyperventilation (such as much of us do) leads to lower levels of CO2 and therefore, reduced Oxygenation which further lowers CO2. A healthy human has 7% CO2 levels, whereas the atmosphere has .036-.039%. High levels of CO2 (the result of Pranayama: slow, regulated breathing and breath retention) means efficient oxidative metabolism (the exchange of O2 & CO2) which allows for O2 to release when and where needed.
This sheds new light on CO2 for many of us who thought it was simply a waste product we gave to the trees! In actuality, as Professor and Physiologist Yandell Henderson points out, CO2 is the primary hormone in the body because it is the only one produced by every tissue and acts on every organ. Ironically, CO2 is, in fact "The Breath of Life".
In summary, Pranayama, the constriction of airways via controlled breathing techniques, leads to higher levels of CO2 which improves O2 delivery throughout the tissues of the body and dilates brain capillaries – creating an incredible health cascade. Additionally, inflammation is decreased by stabilizing Mast Cells and Nerve Cells, and mitochondrial activity is increased… Intrigued? We've only touched the tip of the ice berg. Stay tuned, as I know, this scientific info is often best in small doses so I will leave the rest of the juicy benefits, science… and a technique any of us can practice even if we haven't yet practiced Asana for one year… for Part II.
Do you practice Pranayama? What is your experience of the benefits? Please feel free to share any questions and comments you have.
Simple Tips to Stay Centered & Well ~ Podcast 3
Email today to set up Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching,
or a Private or Corporate Yoga Program
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!
Thank you for visiting!
Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share
Ram Dass 60 Second Meditation
Enjoy this beautiful 60 second meditation from Ram Dass (April 6, 1931- December 22, 2019). You can find this meditation and others alongside articles, mantras and more teachings by Ram Dass here ~> RamDass.org
Email today to set up Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching,
or a Private or Corporate Yoga Program
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!
Thank you for visiting!
Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share
Lemon Drop Coconut Snowballs
Lemon Drop Coconut Snowballs are delish little bites of bliss! Enjoy for snack, holiday party dessert, or pre/post workout boost. I served them at my recent Manifesting Your Deepest Heart’s Desire Yoga Workshop… always a hit. Without further ado let’s get to the recipe…
Lemon Drop Coconut Snowballs (makes approximately 24 snowballs)
Place cashews, 1 1/2 cups coconut, lemon juice, honey, coconut oil and vanilla in food processor and pulse until mixture is sticky when pressed together (for a little more texture) or until a sticky mound forms (for a smoother texture). Remove and form into small balls. Combine the leftover 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut and 3 tbsp lemon zest by fluffing with a fork. Roll balls in mixture to coat. Place balls in freezer or fridge to set. Serve directly out of freezer or fridge for more bite, or allow to soften at room temperature for a moist, chewy texture. Store leftovers in fridge/freezer in tightly closed container. Please note: measurements are fairly flexible so feel free to play around according to your taste/texture preferences. Enjoy!
Do you have a favorite vegan or raw vegan recipe? Have you ever considered a vegan or raw vegan lifestyle? Share any questions and/or comments you have below!
email today to set up Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching,
or a Private or Corporate Yoga Program
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!
Thank you for visiting!
Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share
Silence
S I L E N C E
"Silence has three gates to pass.
One is the most peripheral: speaking.
Speak only telegraphically.
Speak the essential and you will be surprised that
almost ninety per cent of your talking is useless;
only ten per cent will do.
And you will also be surprised —
that ten per cent will become more effective
because that ninety per cent,
that unnecessary burden
is no more there.
Words become more pregnant
when you don't go round-about,
when you go directly.
And if one has to be telegraphic
one has to go directly.
That's why you can write a long letter
but it doesn't have that effect —
a small telegram is more effective […]
All the great scriptures of the world are telegraphic.
That is the meaning of the sanskrit word sutra —
just a hint has been given but very pregnant.
This is the first step:
be telegraphic, speak the essential.
And drop the non-essential
and then the second step.
Think only the essential
and you will be surprised.
Ninety-nine per cent is unessential;
only one percent maybe is essential.
That too I say maybe, perhaps;
otherwise it is all holy cow dung.
So drop thinking unnecessarily
about unnecessary things […]
So drop useless thinking
and you will be saving so much energy
that the third step can be taken.
the third step is the most subtle:
feel only the essential.
And if you come to the essential
then there is only love.
Anger, greed, lust —
all these things are non-essential.
They are parasites, they are exploiting you.
When you come to the essential only love remains.
And when your heart is only full of love
you can enter into the very centre of silence.
These three things have to be passed:
the outer part of the mind — talking;
the inner part of the mind — thinking;
and the innermost part of the mind — feeling.
And when you have passed all these three
then there is silence.
And that silence is the door to the divine."
— OSHO, The Sound of One Hand Clapping, Chapter #19 – 19 March 1981 pm
Share any questions/comments below.
Call or email today to set up Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching,
or a Private or Corporate Yoga Program
240.479.4169
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!
Thank you for visiting!
Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share
Part II Benefits & Science of Pranayama (Breathing Practices) in Yoga
Painting by Juliane Porter
Part II
As discussed in Part I, Pranayama, in Yoga, is the practice of controlling the breath, which is the source of our pranah, or vital life force. If we control the breath, we control the mind. Stated differently, fast breathing = restless mind; still breath = still mind and clear perception. When the breath is still, the mind is still.
Pranayama, the constriction of airways via controlled breathing techniques, leads to higher levels of CO2 which improves O2 delivery throughout the tissues of the body and dilates brain capillaries – creating an incredible health cascade. Without further ado, let's look further into the incredible benefits of Pranayama Practice, the fascinating science behind it, and learn a simple Pranayama technique we can employ anywhere, anytime to induce a calm clear disposition.
Ray Peat Findings
Ray Peat made several additional observations of Pranayama and it's resulting increase of CO2's affect on the body:
Simple Pranayama for Anyone from Beginners to Experienced Practitioners
This simple Pranayama technique is wonderful to calm down prior to a performance, speech or simply reduce feelings of anxiety. As with all pranayama, it is based on the aforementioned science that slowing down breathing will calm the mind (in addition to the dozens of additional benefits).
Take a deep breath
Inhale for 3 counts. Exhale for 3 counts. Repeat 3x.
Inhale for 4 counts. Exhale for 4 counts. Repeat 3x.
Inhale for 6 counts. Exhale for 6 counts. Repeat 3x.
Inhale for 8 counts. Exhale for 8 counts. Repeat 3x.
Inhale for 10 counts. Exhale for 10 counts. Repeat 3x.
Inhale for 12 counts. Exhale for 12 counts. Repeat 3x.
And that's it! Change your breath. Change your life!
Do you practice Pranayama? What is your experience of the benefits? Please feel free to share any questions and comments you have.
Call or email today to set up Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching,
or a Private or Corporate Yoga Program
443.745.3418
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!
Thank you for visiting!
Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share
Full Free 55 Minute Beginner Vinyasa Yoga Flow with Yoga Nidra Savasana
You're personally invited to join me for a beautiful, invigorating & rejuvenating 55 Min Beginner Vinyasa Yoga Flow complete with Yoga Nidra Savasana… all in the comfort of home.
If you have any questions or would like guidance I'll happily answer all your questions in the comments below. Please like, subscribe/share & give a thumbs up to leave your support.
All Love. Namaskar.
Call or email today to set up Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching,
or a Private, Studio or Corporate Yoga Program or Retreat
443.745.3418
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!
Thank you for visiting!
Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share
Full Free 50 Min Vinyasa Yoga Flow for Experienced Beginners to All Levels
Please join me for a fun invigorating and rejuvenating 50 Min Vinyasa Yoga Flow for Experienced Beginner/All Levels!
Leave any comments/questions below and I'll be happy to answer and provide guidance for you 🙂
All Love. Namaskar.
Call or email today to set up Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching,
or a Private, Studio or Corporate Yoga Program or Retreat
443.745.3418
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!
Thank you for visiting!
Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share
Full Free 40 Minute Intermediate/Advanced Vinyasa Yoga Flow
Join me for a free invigorating and rejuvenating 40 Minute Intermediate/Advanced Vinyasa Yoga Flow.
Be sure to share your questions and comments below. Sending you the very best always 🙂
All Love. Namaskar
Call or email today to set up Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching,
or a Private, Studio or Corporate Yoga Program or Retreat
443.745.3418
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!
Thank you for visiting!
Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share
Irish Twins
"Irish Twins" 18" x 14" Oil on Panel
These two darling Irish siblings completely captured my heart. Glowing with such absolute beauty, joy and love… I've truly fallen in love with them. (Please forgive the glare as the paint is still wet!)
I approached this oil painting, "Irish Twins" (18 x 14 oil on panel), in an entirely new manner. All the plein air painting I've done has made me an even faster more energetic and spontaneous painter. The reason being in just one hour outside painting, the entire scene will have changed entirely due to the swiftly moving light. Therefore, one must respond to the scene quickly or it won't get captured. The beauty is this speed leaves no time to engage with distracting conversations in the head… only time to let life flow through and work its magic on the canvas.
So, this is how I'm painting everything now and it's so much fun! I watch the painting come to life, as I let life do all the work. It's almost an out of body experience as I continually drop the conversation, all the planning, all the stuff that makes for an "effortful" experience… and just let it flow. From this approach I do not know what the piece is going to look like at the end… and that's hugely entertaining for me as well - watching the piece unfold, come into focus, as if I'm a bystander. What starts as big shapes of color begins to refine into actual beings in front of me, full of love, joy, laughter and personality.
Life is so much better of a painter than I ever could hope to be.
Please enjoy and feel free share your thoughts 🙂
Love,
Juliane
Contact me to paint a portrait, landscape or anything else for yourself or your loved ones.
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!
Thank you for visiting!
Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share
The Benefits & Science of Pranayama (Breathing Practices) in Yoga
Painting by Juliane Porter
Part I
Pranayama, in Yoga, is the practice of controlling the breath, which is the source of our pranah, or vital life force. If we control the breath, we control the mind. Stated differently, fast breathing = restless mind; still breath = still mind and clear perception. When the breath is still, the mind is still.
Pranayama should only be practiced: after at least a year of asana practice, if one follows a Sattvic Diet, and if one practices the Kriyas (cleansing techniques). It must always be taught under the guidance of an experienced teacher and should never be learned from books. It is said that Pranayama, practiced correctly, has the power to cure all disease. Conversely, pranayama practiced incorrectly, can be the cause of all disease. One must practice slowly and steadily as Pranah must only be raised slowly and steadily. Let's look into the incredible benefits of Pranayama Practice and the fascinating science behind it for further clarification.
THE PRANENDRIYA
There is a tiny organ in the middle of the chest which controls pranah. Prana is the universal energy, magnetism, electricity while Pranah (with an "h" on the end) refers to Life Force in a living being. Pranah consists of 10 Vayus, or vital force within various parts of the body. Although Pranah is one homogeneous energy, it can be divided into these 10 Vayus. The Vayus control all the moving faculties within the body. For example, The Apanu Vayu runs from the naval to the perineum, controlling excretion. The Prana (different than Prana/Pranah) Vayu runs from the naval to the throat, controlling respiratory breathing.
The whole science of Pranayama is based on the Pranendriya pulsating in synchronization with the breath. When we breath fast or irregularly we experience a lack of clarity, impaired sensory perception and a restless mind. On the other hand, when we breath slowly with regulation, the Prenendriya is in a state of pause and we're able to perceive accurately, think clearly and experience peace of mind. Pranayama techniques are first used to calm the mind so we can meditate, especially via the technique of Kumbacha (breath retention) practiced by yogis since Vedic times, which slows the breath and retains it for a period of time, leading to transcendence of duality.
KUMBACHA & THE BOHR AFFECT
As we're aware, breathing delivers oxygen from the air, through the respiratory system, to be converted into energy within the body’s cells. Oxygen is transported in blood by hemoglobin (in the red blood cells), however, oxygen needs to be released from the hemoglobin in order to be absorbed in the body. Here is the fascinating piece. When there is a higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, hemoglobin releases oxygen, allowing more oxygen to reach our organs, muscles and tissues and be converted into energy. So, carbon dioxide, commonly only thought of as a toxic gas, turns out to be a key feature in enabling oxygen to get to where it is needed in the body.
The Bohr Affect refers to scientific studies by Danish Scientist, Christian Bohr, who discovered this fact, that Carbon Dioxide is essential in helping oxygen to release its bond with hemoglobin, and thereby, as a person’s oxygen levels increase in the blood stream, carbon dioxide levels then drop. So, without a healthy level of CO2, oxygen cannot be released, which is the root cause of many disorders. Stated simply, high levels of CO2 indicates greater absorption of Oxygen into the blood which means Hemoglobin's Oxygen binding capacity is inversely related to CO2 concentration. Without proper levels of CO2, Oxygen can't be released from the red blood cells into the tissues. CO2 increases the capacity for Oxygen absorption. Even if there is a lot of Oxygen in the blood, it can't be absorbed unless there is enough CO2.
Kumbacha (breath retention) allows blood chemistry to normalize via the balancing of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) via two controls, the Heart Sensor located near the heart and the Brain Sensor, in the brain. When blood is low on oxygen (O2) the Heart Sensor notices and it speeds up respiration. When the body is low on Carbon Dioxide (CO2) the body responds via the Brain Sensor, which tells the body to slow down respiration.
The lowering of CO2 affects blood acid balance which causes blood vessels in the brain (the capillaries) to constrict reducing the amount of oxygen in the brain, in which case, the Brain Sensor signals the body to slow down breathing. In other words, to get oxygen to the brain, we need to breath slowly, and we need enough CO2. Stated yet another way: slowing down our breathing increases CO2 in the blood, which in turn increases the necessary oxygen to the brain, and in turn stimulates brain capillaries to dilate so blood can flow through them. Brain function is improved, thereby improving the function of the entire body. It is totally wrong to say CO2 is a waste product.
THE HALDANE AFFECT
John Scott Haldane found the deoxygenation of blood increases it's capacity for CO2, which means the more the tissues can absorb Oxygen, the more CO2 increases. Hyperventilation, or fast breathing or hyperventilation (such as much of us do) leads to lower levels of CO2 and therefore, reduced Oxygenation which further lowers CO2. A healthy human has 7% CO2 levels, whereas the atmosphere has .036-.039%. High levels of CO2 (the result of Pranayama: slow, regulated breathing and breath retention) means efficient oxidative metabolism (the exchange of O2 & CO2) which allows for O2 to release when and where needed.
This sheds new light on CO2 for many of us who thought it was simply a waste product we gave to the trees! In actuality, as Professor and Physiologist Yandell Henderson points out, CO2 is the primary hormone in the body because it is the only one produced by every tissue and acts on every organ. Ironically, CO2 is, in fact "The Breath of Life".
In summary, Pranayama, the constriction of airways via controlled breathing techniques, leads to higher levels of CO2 which improves O2 delivery throughout the tissues of the body and dilates brain capillaries – creating an incredible health cascade. Additionally, inflammation is decreased by stabilizing Mast Cells and Nerve Cells, and mitochondrial activity is increased… Intrigued? We've only touched the tip of the ice berg. Stay tuned, as I know, this scientific info is often best in small doses so I will leave the rest of the juicy benefits, science… and a technique any of us can practice even if we haven't yet practiced Asana for one year… for Part II.
Do you practice Pranayama? What is your experience of the benefits? Please feel free to share any questions and comments you have.
Call or email today to set up Holistic Life & Wellness Coaching,
or a Private or Corporate Yoga Program
443.745.3418
Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube to stay current on all things SN!
Thank you for visiting!
Comment, Like, Subscribe & Share