Understanding Breathing and Breathing method

A. Breathing

Breathing is breathing without the intervention of the will of brain. This means that it is done unconsciously.

Since no will is involved, the brain does not expend additional energy for breathing. When the brain concentrates on an action, it generally consumes up to 20% of the energy consumed by the entire body.

The variables that determine the respiratory volume of breathing activity are the amount of energy consumed for the current physical activity, the spatial freedom of the chest and abdomen (=posture), the degree of body fatigue, and the level of physical/mental relaxation.

The breathing capacity tends to increase, when the amount of physical activity is higher, when the chest and abdomen can be more freely contracted and expanded, when the body is currently in a state of greater fatigue or when the body is more relaxed physically/mentally.

B. Breathing method

Breathing method is breathing in which the will of oneself(or others) intervenes. It means that the brain is consciously managing breathing.

Because the will is involved, the brain consumes additional energy for breathing. If do not concentrate on breathing and fall into other thoughts, it is difficult to continue the intended breathing.

The only variable that determines the respiratory volume of respiratory activity by the breathing method is the will. The breathing method is an activity that intentionally increases or decreases the respiratory volume of an unconscious breathing activity, and is not independent of unconscious breathing.