Poor breathing robs energy and negatively affects mental alertness. Unless breathing is done rightly, aging affects the respiratory system. The rib cage and surrounding muscles can get stiff causing inhalation to become more difficult. Less elasticity and weak muscles leave stale air in the tissues of the lungs and prevents fresh oxygen from reaching the blood stream.
Some Simple Exercises to Breathe Energy and Relaxation in to Your body:
Abdominal Breathing: Slowly inhale, bringing your arms out to the side and lifting them over your head. Focusing on one point, simultaneously come onto the balls of your feet and lift your heels. Feel your abdomen expanding, and slowly exhale while relaxing the arms and feet. Notice the abdomen flattening.
Thoracic Breathing: Bring your arms straight in front of you parallel to the floor with palms touching. Slowly inhale while bringing the arms apart. Simultaneously come onto the balls of the feet lifting the heels up. Feel the abdomen and the chest region expanding. Slowly exhale while bringing the palms back together and the feet flat on the ground.
Clavicular Breathing: Slowly inhale while bringing your arms straight up in front of the body. Continue lifting the arms over the head while rising onto the balls of the feet, lifting your heels up. Feel the abdomen, chest and upper chest expanding. Then slowly exhale while relaxing the arms and feet down.