Yogis compared to other people, tend to take fewer breaths of greater volume. Slower breathing is calming to the nervous system. Yogic breaths are also much more efficient. Rapid or shallow breaths actually deliver less air to the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen exchange happens, than a few slower, deeper breaths. Better breathing increases exercise capacity and saturates blood with oxygen, and creates a inner calm – to the nervous system and mind. (Source: Timothy McCall, M.D.)
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