Relaxation Therapy and Mind-Body Benefits

[Dr Ray]

If you have experienced Soft Stomach Breathing in the Position of
Comfort as suggested in other Posts, you will have experienced the
benefits of relaxation in a way that is more real than words and
scientific knowledge can make it. But a scientific understanding of
the effects of relaxation on our bodies makes it easier to see why
relaxation is so beneficial.

When you deeply relax, several important physiological events occur in
your body. Among these healthful changes are:

Heart rate slows down
Blood pressure lowers
Muscles relax
Blood vessels dilate
Blood passes more freely throughout your body
Oxygen consumption is enhanced
Waste products are eliminated with greater efficiency
Your body's natural production of healthful chemicals increases

Stress reduction is a much publicized health care goal. Word of the
beneficial effects continues to spread. But the far reaching benefits
are even more extensive than is commonly known. For example, when you
consider the brain accounts for only one fiftieth of the body's
weight, but uses one fifth of the body's oxygen supply, you can see
how increased blood circulation makes for more efficient thought
processing. (This is but one example of similar benefits).

We will continue to explore this important issue throughout future
Posts.

Dr. Ray

[steve witort]

Ray,

It has been a little while since we have talked and we should do so again soon. On the bright side, I have broken 85 a number of times but not 80. In the Member-Guest, we won our flight by 9 strokes and came very close to winning the Championship until I hit the wrong ball on the 2nd playoff hole. That's golf.

Your writings are very good and I am starting to get a much better understanding of breathing. I want to experiment a little more with it and give you a call on how I am doing. Hope all is well with you.

Steve