AIR

"…the breath of the Almighty hath given me life." Job 33:4.

"…thou takest away their breath, they die…" Psalms 104:29.

"Aided by Pure Air - The influence of pure, fresh air is to cause the blood to circulate healthfully through the system. It refreshes the body and tends to render it strong and healthy, while at the same time its influence is decidedly felt upon the mind, imparting a degree of composure and serenity. It excites the appetite, and renders the digestion of food more perfect, and induces sound and sweet sleep." (1868; 1 Testimonies page 702) Counsels on Diet and Food page 104, 105.

"The lungs should be allowed the greatest freedom possible. Their capacity is developed by free action; it diminishes if they are cramped and compressed. Hence the ill effects of the practice so common, especially in sedentary pursuits, of stooping at one's work. In this position it is impossible to breathe deeply. Superficial breathing soon becomes a habit, and the lungs lose their power to expand. a similar effect is produced by tight lacing. Sufficient room is not given to the lower part of the chest; the abdominal muscles, which were designed to aid in breathing, do not have full play, and the lungs are restricted in their action.

"Thus an insufficient supply of oxygen is received. The blood moves sluggishly. The waste, poisonous matter, which should be thrown off in the exhalations from the lungs, is retained, and the blood becomes impure. Not only the lungs, but the stomach, liver, and brain are affected. The skin becomes sallow, digestion is retarded; the heart is depressed; the brain is clouded; the thoughts are confused; gloom settles upon the spirits; the whole system becomes depressed and inactive, and peculiarly susceptible to disease.
(1905; Ministry of Healing page 272, 273.) Counsels on Diet and Food page 105.

The sea of air that we live in reminds us that "in Him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28.

Air is to the body what prayer is to the soul. Fresh, clean outdoor air is electrically charged with negative ions. There may be 5-10 times more negative ions in clean outdoor air than recycled indoor air. Laboratory rats learned 2 times faster with 1/3 of the mistakes of other rats when breathing negatively charged air as those breathing normal indoor air. Many "breathe the atmosphere of doubt, questioning and infidelity. They see and hear unbelief and finally cherish it." 4 Testimonies page 504. How important to guard our physical and moral atmosphere.

An Experiment Done at Harvard School of Public Health.

The number of ions per cubic foot of air in a room was measured. Thirty four people came into the room, - in 20 minutes only 1/5 of the ions remained. The same reduction occurred with only 7 people in the room. No amount of window ventilation could restore the ions while the people remained in the room. One hour of time was required to restore the ions to normal, after the people left the room. When breathing, the body retains 15 -- 40% of the ions. These ions have an attraction to oxygen. The red blood cells that carry the oxygen are so heavily charged with electricity that their combined charge would light a 25 watt bulb for 5 minutes.

We each create an atmosphere around ourselves. It may be charged with faith, courage, hope and love or heavy with gloom, discontent and selfishness. This atmosphere affects all who come in contact with us. (Christ Object Lessons page 339.)

The atmosphere has a protective layer of ozone to allow only the correct amount of UV and Infra-red radiation through to the earth. God’s word is like the ozone layer to the Christian - a protective covering for our lives.

The process of respiration begins in the brain. It monitors the carbon-dioxide level and this causes the brain to send a signal to the diaphragm to cause it to contract and draw air into the lungs.

The conscience is like the CO2 - God speaking to us to respond to sin and temptation and keep them free from our lives.

Just as breathing creates a vacuum in the lungs and fresh air rushes in, so when we are fully emptied of self, the Holy Spirit will fill our souls with the Spirit of Christ. (Gospel Workers page 287.)

We must breathe continually. We must pray continually.

When looking at the effectiveness of our O2 intake we need to consider the quality of the air and the efficiency of our lungs. We should do all we can to be surrounded by clean fresh air. God does not want us to be surrounded with spiritual impurity. If you stay in a badly ventilated house it won’t make much difference how clean the air outside is. We need to exercise outdoors and sleep in well ventilated rooms. The efficiency of our respiratory system depends upon proper use. If we have poor posture and poor breathing techniques the lungs cannot properly fill with air. The person who sits and stands erect is more likely to breath properly. Many do not receive proper benefit and spiritual blessing from God’s word because they haven’t learned to study correctly and efficiently. Shallow prayer, like shallow breathing will not bring us abundant spiritual health.

The action of a well acting diaphragm when breathing, squeezes the abdominal organs and helps empty them of stale venous blood.

• The body needs good fresh air for good health.
  
  
• Oxygen from the air and glucose from food gives energy.
  
  
• Increased oxygen helps memory and mental ability.
  
  
• Lack of oxygen affects the higher centres of the brain - judgement, reason and will power.
  
  
• Deep breathing relaxes and increases oxygen level in blood . This reduces nervous tension, gives efficient decisions and less mistakes.
  
  
• Every cell of our bodies needs oxygen or it will die in just a few minutes. It keeps the blood pure and increases healing. Oxygen cleanses the body of metabolic waste.

INADEQUATE SHALLOW BREATHING

• Reduces vitality, slows metabolism, makes us tired, exhausted, leads to anaemia and depression.
  
  
• Need to use our abdominal muscles more.
  
  
• Shallow breathing robs us of memory creativity, concentration, will power, discernment and judgement. Many emotional disorders are helped with proper deep breathing - it relaxes. (Helps people with neurotic and schizoid personalities.)

EXERCISES FOR BREATHING

• Imagine filling abdomen, legs and toes with air.
  
  
• Arch back as far as possible and breath in.
  
  
• Breath fresh uncontaminated air, especially while sleeping.

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