Breathing For Breast Cancer Benefits

Learn How to Breathe

Deep breathing is vital; it encourages the release of body toxins, and rebuilds healthy tissue. It is as simple as oxygen helping to nourish the body, the muscles, and organs which then provides relief from stress, fear and anxiety. Slow, deep, and relaxed breaths calms the autonomic nervous system, (ANS) producing a balanced stable energy and builds the body’s immune function. Make a conscious decision to start with 5 to 10 minutes a day of simple deep breathing. Breathing is an important aspect of lymphedema management too. Slow deep breaths, with breath retention create pressure changes that empty the lymphatic system into the venus system at the thoracic ducts and clear the lymphatic pathways. Simple practices like counting each exhale develops concentration, or using a Sun Moon breath will make a difference in stress levels by balancing the right and left hemisphere of the brain. Learning how to come into synch with each breath allows for the “fight-or-flight” response to move to a “relaxation response.” Breathing and relaxation may offer another self management tool for lymphedema too.

Learn More About Breathing

By Breast Cancer Yoga Founder & Survivor: Diana Ross, E-RYT 500