Sniff a Glass of Wine for Good Health

What could be more natural than breathing?  You might be amazed to learn that most people don’t know that breathing — an act that we do some 20,000 times each day — can deeply influence your health and hap piness on many levels. Some proponents of deep breathing recognize the connection between stress and breathing as well.

Even alternative health icon Dr. Andrew Weil says: “If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly.

Breathing has been long considered essential for maintaining chi, the life-force energy of Eastern cultural traditions. Only more recently, however, have Americans begun to embrace the wisdom of taking a deep breath.

“Breathing incorrectly can produce tension, exhaustion and vocal strain, interfere with athletic activity and encourage aches and illnesses,” says Nancy Zi, a Glendale, Calif.-based breathing expert and author of the book and video set, “The Art of Breathing.” Breathe correctly, however, and you can “melt away tension and stress, improve energy or simply relax and unwind.”