#fakap community speaks

How do you breathe?

Of course by inhaling and exhaling air through your lungs, as you would answer. But not many of us practice the proper breathing technique that could improved our health and well-being.

To cut the story short, to breathe properly is to expand the stomach first during inhaling, expanding to the lungs and chest, and vice versa during the exhaling. Most of us did the opposite during our breathing process. To make sure you do it correctly, take a seating position, most us malay call it "sila panggung" , or any other seating position that you feel comfortable in. Or, you could just sit on a chair if you feel like it. Put your right palm on your chest, and your left palm on your stomach. Now, take a deep breath, feel the air in the stomach first, but do not try to force the stomach to extrude, just let the air fill the stomach gently, and then slowly filling the air into your ribcage, lungs and chest. Feel the air filling your body, full of energy. Do the opposite during the exhale, and try to empty your body completely, but do not force it, just let go and relax.

This correct breathing technique is quite important to ensure our bodily needs function properly, in order for better health.

I'm a martial art practitioner, and almost every martial arts practices believe that the air contains a powerful life force that can increase our energy. It's come to be known in different terms, such as Chi in Chinese martial arts, Qi in Japanese, Prana in India, Tenaga Dalam for us Malay, and so on. There is nothing spiritual or mystical about this belief, as maybe some of you might think, in fact it has been proven by science and technology. Ever wonder why we'll take a deep breath whenever you are in pain, for example a cut? or we will take a deep breath unconsciously before lifting heavy weight?

So try to breathe correctly, you'll be amazed how it will improve your health.