"Take a deep breath and release". How many times in exercise programs, doctors offices, co workers trying to calm us, have we heard those simple words. Yet many of us still thinking of breathing as a natural involuntary function our bodies just know how to do. That is not necessarily so. There are tools that we can use to maximize our breathing to help our physical and mental bodies utilize the simply act of breathing.

Organic breathing is a deliberate method of breathing that allows you to utilize the act to increase energy and release emotions. The goal of all types of organic breathing is to slow the breathing down to long deliberate breathes that help to actually regulate the flow of energy and oxygen to every cell of your body. When you can regulate the flow of energy, you can regulate the emotions associated with the energy.

With each of these exercises it is necessary to practice them until they become second nature (involuntary actions). Each one serves a different purpose. As you begin to apply them into your daily life, you will find that your breathing changes with the situation you are in and thus does result in an involuntary action.

Belly breathing - This is the most widely practiced organic breathing known. It allows you to feel every part of your respiration process. It is used as the stepping stone breathing to all other types of organic breathing. Belly breathing is the gateway to learning the full aspects available with breath energy for relaxation and emotional harnessing.

To start belly breathing, place your right hand on your belly and take a deep breath in through your nose feeling your stomach expand with air. If your hand does not feel your stomach rise, keep practicing until the muscles of your stomach push out your hand. Breathe deeply until that fullness radiates from your stomach up into your chest. When the inhale becomes deep enough to actually cause your shoulders rise.

At this point exhale through your nose letting your shoulders drop slightly. As the air expels your chest should drop down into your belly. After feeling it release from your belly, begin to push the air out and pull your belly inward.

Belly breathing specifically will connect your physical body with the act of breathing. Once you have practiced belly breathing, move on to connective breathing.

Connective breathing - Connective breathing is used for emotional connection. It will bring to the surface anything hidden beneath the facade we sometimes put on for others.

Begin connective breathing by doing several breaths of belly breathing. Once in a rhythm of slow belly breathing, close your eyes and concentrate only on the breath. Allow your physical body to experience every sensation that it wishes. There is no right or wrong. When you feel a tightness or block of stress, breath into this spot rather than the navel and exhale from thsi spot. Continue, moving from spot to spot until your senses tell you to stop.

This exercise may take some practice but is well worth the effort once you begin to work with the energy of breath. If you are unable to release the spots that you sense, release breathing can be utilized.

Release Breathing - This type of breathing is used to release the negative energy that we all encounter during the course of any given day. This negative energy can be caused by stress to negative thoughts or even negative people you may encounter. This negative energy can actually build up into a block within your body not allowing your own energy to flow freely.

To release a block, begin by using the belly breathing technique and allow your body to seamlessly take you through to the connective breathing. When you find the spot take a deep breath. Rather than releasing it or exhaling through your mouth, hold the breath for a count of five allowing the breath to connect with the negative feeling or sensation. At the end of the count force the air from your body through your mouth, expelling the air and the negative energy at the same time. This should leave your lungs completely empty. Continue this breathing until you no longer feel tension or negative energy within the body.