This article was written by a customer of ours in India, we really appreciate that he is sharing his findings with all of us who are seeking healthier and happy lives.

 Aroyama concept and practice

Normally a person breathes (inhale and exhale) 18 to 20 times per minute. By reducing the cycle time (deeper inhalation and exhalation with sufficient holding time), we can allow our lungs to absorb maximum oxygen. Normal breathing is an involuntary process controlled by our autonomic nervous system, the speed of breathing changes according to the body's requirement of oxygenated air. When you are exerting or running, the body needs extra oxygen, hence the respiration becomes faster and deeper allowing more air in and out of our lungs.

Majority of us do not know to breathe correctly.   Conscious correct breathing of air can enhance the intake of oxygen required by our body functions. Since we do not hold the air sufficiently in our lungs, the circulating blood is not properly oxygenated. By filling our lungs to the brim and holding our breath for sufficient time, we are able to permit the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.  Though breathing is an involuntary action, by practice we can change the way of our breathing.  By controlling the way we are breathing, we are able control our mind and body as required resulting in ultimate wellness.  

The air is drawn slowly by expanding the abdomen, pushing down the diaphragm to the maximum, while continuing the breathing with slow expansion of our chest to the maximum. In  the final stage of inhalation clavicles are lifted as much as possible allowing the upper part of lungs to expand and fill up to the brim. The oxygenated air is retained in our lungs allowing our blood circulation to exchange the oxygen and carbon dioxide.  This retention of breath in our lungs is the most important stage of yogic breathing. The air is slowly exhaled, first by compressing the clavicles, then by compressing the thorax and finally the diaphragm is lifted up and contracted as much as possible   towards the spinal cord. Though there are 3 stages of breathing, it should be considered as part of single breathing without interruption. This complete cycle of breathing, (inhalation, retention and exhalation) form basis of Aroyama.  The timing of the one full cycle can be gradually improved without any discomfort to have maximum benefit. 

Inhaling the essential oils before and during the breathing increases the oxygen intake considerably. Essential oil carries several hundred times more oxygen compared to the oxygen released by the trees and plants. Inhaling aromatized air increases the oxygen level in the air and consequently oxygen intake by our lungs. Nasal blockade and defective olfactory system prevents the oxygen entering into our body system.  Inhaling a blend of essential oil such as Peppermint clears the nasal passage for free and comfortable breathing.

Modern science and Aroyama

It was known to the scientific community for a long time that the olfactory and trigeminal nerves provide pathways from nose to brain for several harmful substances bypassing the blood brain barrier.  Although all the essential oils with therapeutic effect cannot break the blood brain barrier, it was observed that the Aroma of several essential oils such as Rosemary, Lavender and peppermint have the ability to bypass the blood brain barrier.  Hence some of the essential oils can be used as a carrier agent for delivery of therapeutic ingredients to the brain though the intranasal route,  bypassing the blood brain barrier.

Although there are approximately 1000 different sensors in the nose, it is not enough considering humans can identify about 10,000 different odors.  As per Linda Buck, a researcher at Harvard, compare these quite efficient systems to letters being used in different combinations to make millions of words. As per scientists, the genes control how the brain wires up and  modifies or interchanges the connections. Our personalities are stored in the connections between individual brain cells, but experiences can modify the connections.  Probably, many of the poorly understood illness may be due to abnormality of brain connections called "connectopathies". 

While the modern medicine suggests measuring brain volumes and deficiency of B12 for early detection of Alzheimer's, Aromatherapy is suggesting the periodic order sensitivity test  to detect, delay or prevent Alzheimer's where as  the most modern research is  suggesting to track faulty connections using diffusion-imaging scanner built by Siemens, Germany.

Courtesy www.aroyama.com