Through various experiences and studies it's come to my attention that the number of breaths a being takes is inversely proportional to the length of one's life. Take, for example, the giant tortoise. These slow, still creatures are not just the moral subjects of storybooks and fables. An average tortoise takes about four breaths per minute, and its average lifespan is anywhere between 100-150 years. Wise old men (and women)! The oldest tortoise ever recorded was 188 years old at its death. I've been thinking of this tortoise example for a couple years and was reminded of it in Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi. He got me thinking about it again. Just today I was noticing my dog Jack's breathing, and it seems he may take 50-60 breaths per minute (all that happy panting!). And too well do most of us know how unfortunately short a dog's life may be. I'd love to see him reach 15! Humans, depending on the attention they pay to their breath, take between 7-20 breaths in a minute, with an average lifespan ranging somewhere in the 70s-80s. As you can imagine, small animals and rodents' rapid heart rates and momentary lifespans fit beautifully into this theory.
I've been pondering this concept for a while, and it makes perfect sense to me. Most of us have realized that the length of our breath (how slow or fast you take it) corresponds to the speed of our heartbeat. But have you gone so far as to conjecture that the slower the breath, the slower the beat, the lower the blood pressure? We've all been subject to America's obsession with blood pressure though, haven't we? We've been inundated with things like "Talk to your doctor about blood pressure medication," or "go low-sodium" or "cut out red meat." But in reality there is a cost-free, highly effective, rather enjoyable way to lower the blood pressure, reduce stress, and prolong your life. It's called taking a full breath.
Even the idea of taking calm, slow breaths has been removed from the zeitgeist and designated for the likes of healthy hippies, Indian sages and self-help seminars. I've found in my experience that no one believes me when I recommend that they start focusing on their breath in order to lessen their anxiety and reduce their stress. There are plenty of people in my life that could do with a little anti-anxiety treatment, but I never suggest medication. "When you're feeling overwhelmed and scared, just focus on taking slow, even breaths. Not only will it physiologically calm you, but you will only have room in your mind for one thing, your breath, and nothing else can penetrate." But for some reason it's like they think I'm asking them to get into Downward Dog and do the splits for me.
But if it's scientific proof they want, I'll give it to 'em. Let me start with your chromosomes (you know, the Xs or Y you get from your parents). At the ends of your chromosomes there are little bundles of DNA called telomeres, which not only act as little caps to the bottle of information contained within your chromosomes, they determine the aging and vitality of your cells. And it is after all essentially the destruction of cells that eventually kills us. As the telomeres shorten, the whole structure breaks down, and thus, the death of the cell. Well, let me tell ya, telomeres love this little enzyme called telomerase, which is like a sip of mojo juice for your cells. Telomerase repairs and lengthens the telomeres, thus extending the life of them. Thus, extending the life of you.
So, got it so far? Well it all circles back to this study conducted by the Preventative Medicine Institute of Sausalito and the University of CA, San Francisco. They concluded that the practice of daily deep breathing, along with other positive lifestyle changes, increases the production of telomerase. In other studies where added breathing exercises was the only variable, the conclusions were the same in that the results had a positive effect on general health and longevity. Telomerase is essential in managing stress. Everyone's finally been hearing in the last few years that stress can kill you, and it is only too true. When the body is under stress it produces a hormone called Cortisol, which is a killer (literally) for telomeres. Cortisol shortens the telomeres at an alarming rate and kills the cell faster than nature intended. So what's the treatment for Cortisol? Telomerase. But oh goody, these fancy words do not come in a pill!
This makes me wonder about things like high vs. low impact exercise. Does a marathon runner live a shorter life because he must breathe faster? Does that mean a 500-lb. woman lives longer because she doesn't move? Then I am reminded that the fat woman probably takes more breaths because her blood pressure is already so high and her lungs are compressed by her excess fat, and the marathon runner makes it a point to practice and regulate his breathing. I, however, will probably maintain my Pilates and yoga routine--break a sweat but don't kill myself doing it.
So, now you know the facts (I wish I could demonstrate the sign language for 'fact', I just learned a lot of fun ones today. But back to the topic at hand--->). Love them and ponder them or hate them or forget them. Do what you will. At least you have some interesting information to share at your next book club meeting or angry protest.
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