Get To Know Your Nose!

A ROOT Awakening #3: Get To Know Your Nose! 

By: Jasmine Rausch

Happy Friday ROOT Tribe!

I am constantly getting questions from students asking me about the differences between nostril breathing and mouth breathing. Why is nostril breathing encouraged in most yogic breathing practices? Simply put, the nose is the most optimal way to breathe.

Here are my big 3 reasons why it’s time to get to know you nose:

• Nostril breathing provides 90% of the respiratory filtration system. Think of this as your own personal Brita filter. So fresh and so clean-clean!
• Breathing through your nose increases blood circulation which will helps keep your mind sharp, skin glowing, and blood pressure smooth and even.
• Nasal breathing slows the breathing rate, calming your nervous system and improving overall lung function. Say goodbye to those short shallow stress breaths!

On the flip side, mouth breathing skips important stages of the breathing process and can actually lead to the development of health issues, including snoring and sleep apnea.

I came across a fascinating article that only adds to the list of nasal breathing benefits. It discusses how breathing (specifically inhaling through the nose) affects memory and fear. It’s pretty scientific but feel free to click the link below if you want a taste of that neuroscience class you skipped in college. Here’s the gist, studies prove that brain activity tied to emotional processing, fear related emotions (the amygdala), and memory (the hippocampus) are directly impacted by how you breathe.

Click Here To Get Your Neuroscience Fix!

When scientist looked at brain activity over 60 subjects, they found that breathing in through your nose:

• Increases your response time in identifying fearful expressions- which can be a powerful tool when someone is in a dangerous situation.
• Improves memory function. Get ready to dominate at trivia and forget those flashcards during your next power point presentation!

Are you starting to think that you’re doomed because you are reading this and breathing through your mouth? Don’t worry, you’re not. You’re actually in good company with the 80% of Americans who also have incorrect breathing patterns (a blog I will go into more specifically in the near future, so stay tuned). But it’s never too late to change your habit and become more aware of how you breathe. Break away from the pack and practice nose-breathing today!

My challenge to you is to take a few minutes in the morning to observe your breathing:

• Are you breathing through your nose, mouth, or a combination of both? Is your breathing quick and then slow or more steady and even?
• Recognize your patterns and try to take a more balanced and controlled approach.
• Then, consciously practice nostril breathing. Just 3-5 minutes of your day can make a dramatic difference in your well-being!