Breath – a Path to More Energy in Life
Breathing is our life force, energy flow, our path to being present. Breath guides me away from rumination and frees me from perspectives and thoughts that don’t support a meaningful and rich life. Viktor E. Frankl put it perfectly, and I believe the space he is talking about is our breath:
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space lies our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
What karate taught me about the power of breathing
Growing up, I trained in karate, a discipline that teaches intentional breathing. To go deeper into different sequences of movement, we practiced kata. We performed them almost like a dance, where each step has been chosen over time of the centuries and proven to be most efficient. You inhale during pauses between movements, while each exhale powers a step, lending precision and strength to the movements. Each breath out is released audibly through the mouth, while every inhale enters gently through the nose. In this way, breath and movement unify body, soul, and mind.
Practicing kata brings me into a flow, and I believe this flow comes from the fusion of every part of myself moving in harmony. Beyond physical development, kata can deepen spiritual awareness when done with care. As a child and teen, I didn’t fully grasp these aspects of karate, but today, I realize how much they shaped me, teaching me to stay with my breath and inside of my body. To be with my breath is to be with myself. Breathing through challenging moments and stressful experiences brings a sense of ease and relief.
Notice Your Breathing
How often do you pay attention to your breathing? I know myself that staying with my breath isn’t always easy, but when I remember to notice it, I can find a rhythm that feels right for each day. Paying attention to the breath means staying present and accepting what is. Sometimes my awareness slips, and I fall back into old breathing patterns—sitting at the laptop, squeezing the diaphragm, breathing shallowly—often influenced by stress, trauma, fear, or pain. But when I remember to let my breath flow slowly and deeply, without forcing, it has a transforming and healing effect on my body, mind, and soul. Stress shifts into relief, leaving my body with a long, deep breath—preferably through the mouth. It feels wonderful, releasing the day’s residue or any unpleasant impressions with a deep exhale.
The Science of Breathing
Breathing is a physical process where the body draws in air using the diaphragm muscles. The air passes through the nose, where it’s warmed and humidified, then travels down the trachea into the lungs. Inside the lungs, tiny sacs called alveoli allow oxygen from the air to pass into the bloodstream. Once oxygen enters the blood, a respiration process begins—a chemical reaction that generates energy. Does it make sense now why you feel more energized when you take a deep breath? Energy and breath are directly connected, so the quality of our breathing greatly impacts how we feel and how well our brain functions.
Pro Tip: Do you feel like your brain is stuck, or you can’t remember something important? Try focusing on your breath! Slow down and take a few deep breaths. See the magic happen!
Whether you want to feel relaxed, de-stressed, energized, or focused, you can use your breath as a tool. Yoga offers a variety of techniques and breathing rhythms to support your specific state of mind. In this post I share two exercises that you can try out for yourself.
Exercise - Mindful Breathing
Paus now and notice your bodily position. Straighten your back, roll your shoulders a couple of time back and then forward to find a neutral position.
Place one hand on your chest and one on your stomach.
Breathe in and feel how first the hand on the stomach is lifted up and then how the hand on the chest is lifted up.
Pause briefly when you feel you have filled your lungs.
Start exhaling and feel the hand on the chest sink down and then the hand on the stomach sink down.
At the end of exhalation, pause briefly.
It was one round. Do 10 more rounds while breathing slowly, deeply, but without pushing. Close your eyes during that time if you want.
When you are done sit still for a little while longer and without doing anything just observe your natural breathing.
How do you feel now?