HOW SHOULD WE BREATHE?
BREATHING METHODS
Breathing method has many kinds such as Yoga, Sendo Qigong and Qigong. Each of them comes from the original breathing method and has branched out into many. In addition, there are various breathing exercises called as breathing methods. Even the definition of the word "breathing method" has different meanings.
Each breathing method hasn't been studied on how it works physiologically or its different effects. Unfortunately, there seems to be no probability that they would be analyzed in the future. I think it may be difficult for anyone to judge which breathing method is good or to even choose one exercise habit, even if it is highly recommended.
Thereby, I have chosen the most basic breathing method that anyone could do. It took me a long time to choose this breathing method after many considerations. As for the essence of this breathing method, I have arrived to the conclusion that it is a voluntary breathing wherein deep breaths are taken by compressing the lower belly.
Nowadays, the breathing method that takes a deep breath by compressing the lower belly has various types such as Zen Breathing, Tanden Breathing method, and Serotonin Breathing. Historically, these breathing methods have been widely accepted as effective methods for health recovery and for mind training.
FOR HEALTH RECOVERY
In recent years, the use of various breathing methods for disease prevention and health recovery became more popular. In combination with other treatments, these breathing methods show good results in preventing diseases. Examples of these diseases are usually life style related such as obesity, ageing, diabetes, dementia and depression. It is also very effective against relieving pain during childbirth and cancer.
FOR MIND TRAINING
Taking a deep breath by compressing the lower belly has been performed by many martial artists. Its function is to maintain a well-balanced spirit for better performance (following the precepts of Samurai). For the same reason, it also has been performed by students of various traditional art lessons in Japan such as Cha-do (tea way), Noh dancing, Noh comedy, Shakuhachi ( bamboo pipe playing ), Judo and others.
In addition, many athletes nowadays, have started to perform breathing exercises as part of their training to enhance their performance.
THE LOWER BELLY
As mentioned above, compressing the lower belly is an essential condition for taking the most basic breathing method. I would like to confirm here which part of the body is referred to as the lower belly. Are you familiar with the word "Tanden"? Tanden means lower belly. It has been widely used in the field of breathing exercise. Tanden is the part of the abdomen which is 5 - 10 centimeters under the navel. When we exhale deeply, the muscles and the inguinal ligament lining of the pubic bones from both sides of the lower belly starts to compress tightly. This is the part lower than the Tanden's part (See figure No.1).
No.1 The lower belly and TANDEN part