Breath Control

[Jinsei]

In KOTOR II, Kreia teaches the Exile how to control her metabolism, enabling her to actually stop breathing for a time, and thus resist poisonous gases. Skilled users of this power are said to be able to hold their breath for hours, even days. It was also used by Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn in Ep. I when they were gassed.

[Jinsei]

The closest that I've come to finding this one, aside from meditation itself, is on the website: www.control-your-blood-pressure.com/

Here's a quote from the page:

Nitric oxide: the hidden key to natural blood pressure control?

Yet another intriguing explanation for the effects of slow breathing is emerging. This one may be the most powerful of all.

New research shows that both slow breathing and music, together and separately, stimulate the release of nitric oxide into the bloodstream. Nitric oxide is an invisible gas produced by our cells that plays a crucial role in regulating blood flow by constricting or dilating blood vessels. It also helps the immune system to fight infections and tumors and is a neurotransmitter in the brain, among many other things.nitric oxide for lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol

Nitric oxide is abundant in the nasal airways, which is an important reason for inhaling through the nose (except when under high exertion).

Dr. Oz, Oprah's celebrity doctor, writes: "Inhaling deeply brings a chemical called nitric oxide from the back of your nose and your sinuses into your lungs. This short-lived gas dilates the air passages in your lungs and does the same to the blood vessels."


Music produces nitric oxide too:

In a study published in December 2008 by the Center for Preventive Cardiology at Maryland University, listening to relaxing music expanded blood vessels by an average 26%.

Expanding blood vessels obviously reduces blood pressure but it also prevents the build up of blood clots and the dangerous cholesterol, LDL. Study participants showed significant reductions in both blood pressure and LDL levels.

Micheal Miller, the leader of the Maryland study said, "We were looking for cheaper, non-pharmacological aids to help us improve our patients’ heart health, and we think this is the prescription.” The report is available to read in our Clinical Results and Articles pages.

The whole page is worth reading, even though it's an advertisement for their product.