Breathe!

I listened to Dr.Andrew Weil today talk about the importance of breathing. His tone, delivery of narration and most importantly the content of his audio book 'Breathing:The Master Key to Self-Healing', makes me want to hold on to every word, because, here's a trained medical professional who teaches and practices Integrative Medicine, who keeps away from the toxic effects of pharmacological treatment, who is not for suppressing the body's symptoms, instead focuses on treatment of the cause of the disease. He's penned several books and I have to admit that I'm spellbound by this one.

He says that breathing is the only bodily function that is done both voluntarily and/or involuntarily. We can focus on breathing and do it deeply, or if we forget to do it, the internal mechanism of the body takes care of it. Its literally the way life force moves in the body. It clears blocks, keeps circulation, digestion, and neurological systems in balance. Sanskrit terms the breath as prana and there are two meanings for prana - breath and life force. I believe that the essence of the two meanings is the same.

Dr.Weil claims that most diseases of today can be cured completely by following his breathing exercises. I tend to agree and to the more extreme skeptic, Dr.Weil has scores of patients that have followed his process and seen results. The most basic meditation also focuses of breathing consciously and holding that as the point of attention. Breathing correctly is integral to the practice of yoga. Practicing pranayama in addition to yoga, is, in my opinion, all thats needed in terms of taking care of your mind, body and soul.