Breath As an Engine of Health: What Does This Mean

We all know that breathing is essential for life. But did you know that your breath is a powerful engine that drives your overall health and well-being? This is what is often referred to as "healthy breathing." It's more than just taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. Every breath you take acts as an engine of life, fueling your best health and supporting longevity.

In today’s article, we will explain what we mean by breath being an engine of health and how you can position your body to benefit the most from it.

Healthy Breathing and Inner Mobility:

First of all, Inner Mobility is the core concept of good health, of which breathing takes precedence. It refers to the movement of your core regions, including your spine, rib cage, and diaphragm to support life. When you have youthful Inner Mobility, each breath you take acts as a pump, activating your internal organs and promoting wellness.

Think of it like this: your spine is the central axis, and the rib cage and diaphragm are like bellows that expand and contract with each breath. This movement, driven by the breath, massages and stimulates your organs, keeping them functioning optimally.

Read more about the general concept of inner mobility here. 

How Exactly Does Healthy Breathing Support Your Life? 

Deep, full breaths create pressure changes within your abdominal cavity, compressing and releasing organs like your liver, spleen, stomach, and kidneys. This gentle squeezing action is crucial for microcirculation, the flow of fluids through tiny vessels within your organs.

Microcirculation is essential because through that process nutrients are evenly distributed throughout your body, waste products are removed from the body, and there is support for the vital functioning of each body organ.  Without effective microcirculation, your organs can become sluggish and less efficient, impacting your overall health, and how you feel. 

2. Breathing Powers Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Flow:

Your brain and spinal cord are bathed in a protective fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This fluid is constantly circulating, delivering nutrients, removing waste, and providing immune support to your nervous system.

There are some recent significant studies that have shown that breathing plays a crucial role in pumping CSF throughout your nervous system. The rhythmic expansion and contraction of your chest cavity, driven by your breath, create pressure changes that help move CSF up and down your spine and throughout your brain.

3. Breathing and the Aorta:

The aorta is the largest blood vessel in your body, responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. It runs right alongside your spinal column, and the two are intimately connected.

As we age, the aorta naturally stiffens, which can contribute to various cardiovascular problems like hypertension, and even heart failure.  But here's the interesting part: spinal flexibility and aortic stiffness are highly correlated. In other words, a stiff spine often goes hand-in-hand with a stiff aorta.

This connection shows the importance of Inner Mobility for cardiovascular health.  By maintaining a flexible or mobilized spine through practices like fitness training, you can help keep your aorta more supple, potentially reducing your risk of heart disease.

3. Breathing and the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS):

The ANS controls many of your body's automatic functions, like heart rate, digestion, and breathing.  It's divided into two branches: the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for "fight or flight") and the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for "rest and digest").

Spinal movement, and by extension, Inner Mobility, influences ANS function. When your spine is mobile and your breath is flowing freely, your ANS is better able to maintain a healthy balance between its sympathetic and parasympathetic branches. This balance is very important for managing your stress levels, emotional well-being, and overall health.

Learn some effective healthy breathing techniques. 

How iHeart Can Help You

iHeart provides valuable insights into the health of your spine and nervous system, both of which are closely tied to breathing and overall well-being. The iHeart Internal Age app measures Aortic Stiffness, which is directly related to spinal flexibility (as explained above).

Additionally, iHeart Brain and iHeart HRV assess the function of your Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), which is also influenced by spinal movement. Moreover, a well-functioning ANS, supported by good spinal mobility and breathing, is crucial for managing your stress, maintaining emotional balance, and promoting overall health. Ultimately, the iHeart system (iHeart Wellness Monitor and its accompanying apps) offers a unique way to understand and support the vital connection between your breath, spine, and nervous system. This will ultimately help you harness the power of breathing for optimal health and well-being.

Final Words on Breath as an Engine of Health: What Does This Mean. 

Breathing is much more than just a basic life function. It's a powerful force that connects and supports all aspects of our well-being. By understanding the intricate ways in which our breath influences our internal organs, circulation, and nervous system, we can start to appreciate its profound impact on our health.

Practices like fitness training, which really improves Inner Mobility, can help you harness the power of your breath to enhance how you feel every day, and also help you to stay young. The solution as we always say is really not difficult. Simply prioritize practices that support full, deep breathing and spinal flexibility. This way you improve your Inner mobility and unlock the full potential of your breath as an engine of health.