BREATHING CAPACITIES

A person who is reasonably relaxed and sitting inhales and exhales approximately half a liter of air (this is called tidal volume in physiology) at a time. Now if that same person expanded his chest and abdomen to the maximum that is possible and thereby drew more air into the lungs, it would be possible for him to draw in approximately an extra two liters. This is over and above the normal half liter that can be inhaled. This extra volume of air that can be inhaled is known as the inspiratory reserve volume in physiology. If after normal expiration the chest and abdomen are contracted as much as is comfortably possible, then it possible to expel an extra one and a half liters of air from the lungs, over and above the half liter that is exhaled during normal respiration. This is referred with to as expiratory reserve volume. There is also some air that will remain in the lungs even after the deepest exhalation. This is due to the fact that the lungs can never be fully deflated; the lungs can never be squeezed sufficiently by the chest and the diaphragm to remove all the air. This is known as the residual volume. It is generally in the order of one and a half liters.
Let us compare the normal volume of respiration with the maximum that can be respired:
½ liter (tidal volume) + 2 litters (inspiratory reserve volume)+ 1 ½ liters (expiratory reserve volume)=4 liters.
This gives a total of four liters, which is eight times the normal volume of inhalation and exhalation.
Most people while sitting breathe less than half a liters of air and so their lung usage is actually less than one-eighth their capacity. It is for this reason that learning to breathe properly is so important.

Advice and Precautions:
The following point should be carefully observed before commencing Pranayama practice.
(1) Wait for at least three hours after meals before practicing Pranayama because the bladder, stomach and intestines should be empty.
(2) Throughout the practice the body should be as relaxed as possible. The spine, neck and head should be erect and centered.
(3) There should be no strain. The breath should not be retained for longer than is comfortable. This is most important as the lungs are very delicate organs and any misuse can easily cause them injury.
(4) Some patients of chronic diseases are advised to practice Pranayama twice a day, in the morning and evening, must follow these guidelines.
(5) In its higher stages, Pranayama should only be learned with a qualified teacher.
(6) During practicing intensive Pranayama should not smoke tobacco, cannabis etc.

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