Breathe and live better

One of the most effective — and completely free — ways to control one’s health is through controlled breathing techniques, all of which are rooted in ancient Indian practices. “The theory of breath work is that breathing is the only function we can do completely consciously or completely unconsciously,” Weil said. He advocates a particularly effective technique, based on the Indian breathing regulation practice of Pranayama.

It involves breathing in deeply through the nose for four seconds, holding one’s breath for 10 seconds, and exhaling forcibly through the mouth for eight seconds, repeated for four cycles, twice daily. After several weeks of regular practice, the technique can help one fall asleep quicker, manage stress better, and help one handle cravings, such as for cigarettes or chocolate.

— Photo by Shihab Dr. Andrew Weil, known as the guru of alternative medical brands: holistic health and integrative medicine, addressing the session on ‘Ancient Healing for Modern Disease’ on Tuesday.