Breathe Deep

Philosophy Forums Religion and Spirituality
1

I doubt I’m the first to think of this, but try this out for me:

Toss your head back gently. Shrug your shoulders and let the back of your head rest on them, and now just take a deep breath.

Ah, doesn’t that feel better?

It should. You’ve been carrying that heavy skull around all day, it’s nice to give your neck a little rest. Shrugging your shoulders and leaning your head back also helps expand your ribcage and open up your windpipe, allowing you to get a nice lungful of air. You can even feel the air flowing down your neck differently. I don’t know if tilting your medulla oblongata releases endorphins or anything like that, but at the very least people often find a nice breath of fresh air…um…refreshing.

I thought about this when I was outside walking to the gym. I remembered something I have to do that I don’t want to do, so I did that little exasperated head toss; the one we all just practiced above. What happens as a direct result of this? We look at the sky.

I wonder, did ancient man confuse the comfort obtained from the act of resting his neck and taking a deep breath with some kind of reassurance from a being beyond the clouds at which he was looking when taking this brief respite?

Probably not completely, but the first thing I did after tossing my head up was start talking to whatever it is that may or may not be up there. Certainly this couldn’t hurt the emergence of religion.

I didn’t know if I should put this here or in psychology. If the mods want to move it that’s cool.

2

Anthem, is it possible you may have posted this in the wrong folder?

3

I don’t know, what do you think, Litenin?

4

You know, after carefully examining it more thoroughly, I would have to say I’m not sure. Maybe your first thought was right?

5

I dunno. It applies to both. Don’t really think it matters where it goes.

6

:-k A really interesting thought.

Physiological shift leading to a spiritual experience/ thoughts?
I think you’re right that there are other parallels in various religious/spiritual practices/traditions.
I think it belongs in religion.

7

Sounds yoga-like. You and that starman in your avatar. :slight_smile:

8

Hey, you know his name!

9

I’d know that Bowie image anywhere. Can’t fool me! :laughing:

10

:confused:

It’s Rush…

11

Yes, that was my joke.

12

Ok, thank God :slight_smile:

And yes, it does sound yoga-like. Without knowing much more than like six or seven official yoga moves, I’d say breathing is more than half of yoga when compared to the actual moves.