Listen Instead of Reading
This week, you'll learn how to become a mixed breathing artist, learn a decade-old idea still relevant today, and take a look into Wim Hof’s mirror.
Enjoy!
4 Thoughts
1. On Bruce Lee, “Methods,” and Becoming Mixed Breathing Artists
“The individual is of first importance, not the system. Remember that man created method and not that method created man, and do not strain yourself in twisting into someone’s preconceived pattern, which unquestionably would be appropriate for him, but not necessarily for you.”
- Bruce Lee, Striking Thoughts
I think we can safely say Bruce Lee would be against using any one breathing “method.” He didn’t even believe there were different forms of fighting.
In fact, many consider Lee to be the original Mixed Martial Artist. Let’s follow his lead and become the first Mixed Breathing Artists.
That means we become both methodical and flexible. We focus on science and self-expression. We don’t strain ourselves to fit into a specific method; instead, we use what’s appropriate for a given situation.
Here’s to using the mixed breathing arts to conquer life’s challenges, today.
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Related Quote: “Any technique, however worthy and desirable, becomes a disease when the mind is obsessed with it.” - Bruce Lee
Another: “The more complicated and restricted the method, the lesser the opportunity for the expression of one’s original sense of freedom.” - Bruce Lee
2. What Full Lotus Can Teach Us About Breathing
“Years after I had mastered the full Lotus, another teacher walked by while I was sitting, tapped on my shoulder, and gestured toward my full Lotus: ‘That is the whole problem for you.’ ”
- Larry Rosenberg, Breath by Breath
This is one of my new favorite stories. Larry Rosenberg had a teacher who thought sitting in full Lotus was essential. So, he practiced diligently and deliberately for 10 years. Finally, he could sit comfortably in it.
Then, a few years later, a different teacher saw him sitting in Lotus and told him, “That is the whole problem for you.” What one teacher said was essential, another said was his problem. His Lotus was perfect; that wasn’t the issue. It was his obvious attachment to it.
The lesson for us is that we cannot attach ourselves to any one approach to breathing (just like Bruce Lee didn’t attach himself to any single martial art).
Of course, we need to be grounded in science-based principles. But remember to be open. The method you’ve perfected might be the one that’s holding you back the most.
3. From NPR: “Just Breathe: Body Has A Built-In Stress Reliever”
“The breath isn't something Western medicine should blow off. It's a powerful tool for influencing individual health and well-being. And the best part is all the ingredients are free and literally right under your nose.”
NPR published this article over a decade ago, but it’s still relevant today. Check it out to learn how we can use slow and fast breathing to stimulate the nervous system, and how slow breathing might change gene expression.
Enjoy the quick read!
4. The Beauty of Red Blood Cells
“These experiments revealed a novel activity of the RBC [red blood cell]: the RBC regulates its own principal function—that is, O2 delivery.”
There are about 1 billion oxygen molecules on each of the trillions of red blood cells in your body. That’s a lot of oxygen. As the red blood cells circulate, they deliver this oxygen where it is needed most.
And as it turns out, the red blood cells themselves help regulate this process. Specifically, when they sense areas of low oxygen, they release a bioactive form of nitric oxide. This expands the vessels, which allows more blood flow and, ultimately, more oxygen delivery. It’s quite complex, and quite beautiful.
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1 Answer
Category: Oxygen in Your Body
Answer: In terms of atoms, oxygen makes up this percent of total body mass.
…
(Cue the Jeopardy! music.)
…
Question: What is 65%?
In good breath,
Nick Heath, T1D, PhD
“Breathing is the compound interest of health & wellness.”
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Each Monday, I curate and synthesize information from scientific journals, books, articles, and podcasts to share 4 thoughts, 1 quote, and 1 answer (like "Jeopardy!") related to breathing. It’s a fun way to learn something new each week.