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of emotions. One, who breaths long, finds solution to many problems. Breathing control is the first step towards spirituality.
Mahavira said, "The infernal breathes in and breathes out ceaselessly, because they are in utmost distress."
There is change in the frequency of respiration due to amount of suffering (mental agony or tension). In times of tension and mental affliction the number of respiration increases. Respiration rates may increase with fever, illness and with other medical conditions. The lesser the suffering, the lower the rate of respiration, the more the suffering, the higher the rate of respiration. Fear, anger, jealousy, hate - all have their impact on breath. Under passion breaths become short and rapid. Anger strikes a man when his breath is short. One should not shout, which increases frequency of respiration.
Incorrect posture and wrong diet cause incorrect breathing, which results in several health hazards. Sex, sleep, excess and heavy food have their direct impact on respiration. Man spends 200 calories and breaths 30 times a minute during sex twice the rate of normal breathing. The number of breath increases during sleep. So excess sleep is considered one of the major factor in reducing the life span. Excess and heavy food can increase shortness of breath leading to obesity. Too much hot or cold has its impact on the breathing.
The act of breathing is an automatic, highly regulated mechanical function of the body. Normal breathing must continue at all times whether awake or asleep. Sleep is a complex neurological state. Its primary
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