An environment, which is acidic and low on oxygen is the breeding ground for one of the most dreaded disease of today, CANCER. Working meticulously on just these two components could work a long way in keeping this affliction at bay.
Cancer is not compatible in a healthy pH environment full of oxygen…
As a growing kid, the term ‘cancer’ seemed too exotic, strikingly unusual and strange. Someone, somewhere, unknown would have been heard to be a victim of this solution-less ailment, waiting painfully for DEATH. In last couple of years, things have taken a turn for the worse. Cancer is no longer exotic, unusual or strange. In fact, it is so common today that any news of illness of any kind makes one fearfully presume that ‘it could be CANCER’.
What could be the reason for this sudden upsurge? – The answer is evident -Plenty. From the advancement of technology, to modern lifestyle, to polluted atmosphere, to corrupted eco-system, almost anything and everything has led to the escalation of this problem. You name it and it is there. All the aforementioned conditions lead to – STRESS. The prime task of ‘Stress’ is to suppress our ‘defensive immune system’, thereby, fueling the cancerous cells (which already exist in our body) to proliferate. Stress is prevalent among one and all. To fathom the level of STRESS across any age is impossible. It does not have obvious symptoms nor is it partial to any geography, ethnic group, sex, age group or personality type.
But all is not lost. On an optimistic note, along with the negative, we also have stories of stars who have managed to beat this condition by simply transforming their lifestyle.
Role of Yoga
Cancer patients may be at different levels of mental and physical frames of mind, as well as, different stages of recuperation. It may be difficult for them to do much. However, simple breathing, when done mindfully and wholeheartedly, can bring great peace and solace in this situation. I am listing two simple breathing techniques to increase the level of oxygen and eliminate optimal carbon dioxide from the body, keeping body and mind full of vital energy.
Yogic Breathing does it ALL
Yogic Breathing, involving Sectional Breathing, emphasizes on the components – “Deep”, “Slow”, “Long” and “Full”. This breathing when done in unison can prove to be a panacea.
As you inhale, let your abdomen expand completely, then your rib cage and then your clavicle. These three areas should be completely involved in a rhythm and without any jerks or breaks. Similarly, as you exhale, let your shoulders and collar bones relax, then allow your rib cage to go down and inward & finally your abdomen into your spine. The inhalation and exhalation should happen in a sequence, in a motion and without exerting any force.
You might find it difficult in the beginning to combine all these areas to their optimal, as one may be more dominant than the other. A good idea will be to start with sectional breathing separately and then go on to combine all the three together. With regular practice, this will become second nature to you.
Nadi Shodhan Kriya (Alternate Nostril Breathing… Balancing your left & right nostrils)
This kriya establishes a balance between Suryanadi & Chandranadi and purifies the pathway for prana so that prana i.e. vital force of life can flow freely throughout the body. Check the full method of Nadi Shodhan Kriya……………….
Shallow respiration starves our body of oxygen nourishment and at the same time, fails to eliminate optimal carbon dioxide causing an imbalance in the body & the mind, thereby an imbalance in your ‘universe’. This imbalance could lead to cancer cells procreating at an extremely fast pace.
Role of Alkalinity
An imbalance in the body’s pH is definitely responsible for immune deficiency. Total healing of chronic illnesses takes place only when the blood is restored to a normal, slightly alkaline pH. Research shows acidic environment is the breeding ground for many diseases and terminal cancer patients are around 1000 times more acidic than normal healthy people.
Alkaline Foods
All natural whole plant based foods in raw form are alkaline in nature. So, store onto these two:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
Apart from the above, the following food groups should be included in your daily diet:
- Nuts
- Dried fruits
- Legumes
- Grains
B17, found in bitter apricot kernels kills the cancer cells…says Dilshad who has had double lumpectomy.
Non Alkaline Foods – Best avoided in acute conditions of ill health
- Wheat and wheat products
- Dairy
- Red meats
- Alcohol
- Processed foods
- Sugar & Sugar based drinks – Fizzy or non Fizzy
- High Salt intake
- Tea, Coffee, Alcohol
One need not wait for the illness to manifest at its worse and then act on taking control of their health. A healthy lifestyle would keep all such problems at bay, thereby, ensuring a blissful, stress-free and beatific experience in the journey of life.
Other blogs related to breathing:
- Breathe Right to Live Right … with YOGIC Breathing
- NOSTRIL breathing or MOUTH breathing? – The ‘Yogic’ Recommendation!!
- Did primitive man ever wonder – ‘How to Breathe Right?’
For any query, write to “Ask Shammi” on www.shammisyogalaya.com For other blogs on related subject, check www.shammisyogalayablog.com
Shammi Gupta, founder of Shammi’s Yogalaya holds an MA in Yoga Shastra, is a certified Yogic Therapist and Naturopath, has completed an Advanced Yoga Course and holds a Diploma in Yoga Education from Mumbai University. She is a certified trainer from American College of Sports Medicine and holds an MBA in HR & MBA in Finance from The University of Akron, Ohio, USA. She conducts Health Awareness Workshops for Corporate, Yogasana Workshops for Athletes and Yoga Therapy Workshops on different medical issues for patients. Among the celebrities Shammi trains are eminent personalities from the film and television industry and corporate world.