Dr. Srivatsa Lokeshwaran, Lead Consultant and Head of Department – Interventional Pulmonology and Lung Transplant, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru

In our hectic lives, we often overlook the simple act of breathing—a process so fundamental that it sustains our very existence. The quality of an individual’s breath directly affects his/her overall well-being, energy and mental clarity. Regular breathing exercises not only expand the lung capacity but also result in relaxation, reduced stress and enhanced concentration. By dedicating few minutes a day to mindful breathing, you can gain many benefits that reflect throughout your life.

Below listed are seven simple breathing exercises to stimulate your lungs:

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing (Belly Breathing): This exercise is done to stimulate the diaphragm, resulting in full oxygen exchange and strengthening the diaphragmatic muscle. Sit or lie comfortably, place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Inhale slowly through your nose, allowing your belly to rise but your chest not to move. Exhale slowly through pursed lips, observing your belly fall. Practice this daily to enhance the lung’s efficiency and fight stress.
2.  Pursed-Lip Breathing: This exercise keeps your airways open longer and helps to eliminate stasis air from the lungs by slowing down the breath rate. Breathe in slowly through the nose for two seconds, pucker your lips as if you are about to whistle and then exhale slowly through your lips for four seconds. This is particularly beneficial for patients with respiratory illnesses like COPD or asthma.
3. Rib Stretch: The rib stretch exercise stretches the chest and opens the lungs to their maximum capacity by increasing the flexibility of the spine. Stand upright and breathe out all the air from your lungs. Slowly inhale, filling your lungs to capacity while straightening your arms to get the maximum stretch. Hold your breath for a minimum of 10 seconds before slowly exhaling. Do this exercise several times to achieve maximum lung expansion.
4.  Box Breathing (Four-Square Breathing): It is a simple yet efficient technique utilized to increase lung capacity and reduce stress. Inhale for four seconds through your nose. Hold the breath for four seconds. Slowly exhale through your mouth for four seconds, then hold your breath for four seconds before the next inhalation. Imagine a square while exercising, focusing your mind on the rhythmic speed involved in the activity.
5.  Alternate Nostril Breathing: This exercise balances the respiratory system as well as creates a sense of relaxation. Sit comfortably with a straight back. Close the right nostril with the right thumb. Slowly and deeply inhale through the left nostril. Close the left nostril with the ring finger and release the thumb to allow air to pass through the right nostril. Exhale slowly through the right nostril. Inhale through the right nostril, close with the thumb, and exhale through the left nostril. Alternate in this manner for a few minutes to enhance lung efficiency and create a balance.
6. 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise: This exercise helps in relaxing the nervous system and benefiting the lungs. Start by completely breathing out through your mouth, then inhale slowly through your nose to a count of four. Hold your breath for seven seconds and exhale through your mouth for a count of eight, allowing for a whooshing sound. Repeat this three to four times. This exercise builds lung capacity, stabilizes breathing patterns and calms down one’s anxiety.
7.  Humming Breath: Humming breath exercise is practiced by making a humming noise during exhaling, which helps to relax the mind and increase the function of lungs. Sit down comfortably, close your eyes, take a deep breath in, and then breathe out with a humming noise. This not only increases the capacity of the lungs but also makes one relax and lessens stress.

Adding these exercises to your daily routine can result in significant improvements in your respiratory health and overall well-being. Consistency is the key; try practicing these exercises for a few minutes every day, increasing the time as you get more comfortable. Be sure to listen to your body and consult a doctor if you have any pre-existing respiratory conditions before beginning new exercises. By taking the time to practice breathing, you not only strengthen your lungs but also your mind. This integrated approach promotes resistance to respiratory issues and improves your overall quality of life.

Pune, March, 2025: This Women’s Day, womanhood celebrations at JW Marriott Pune speak of tradition rooted in modernity as Spice Kitchen gears up for a Women’s Day Celebration with Home Chefs from Chefs-Pin. Taking place from 7th to 9th March 2025, this three-day unique dining experience offers the rich and diverse culture of India by three acclaimed home chefs.

In collaboration with Chefs-Pin, an acclaimed platform for culinary artisans, JW Marriott Pune’s immersive experience will highlight regional delicacies crafted with authenticity, skill, and deep-rooted passion. Hailing from different regions of India, these home chefs invite you to embark on a journey of flavors, culture,e, and legacy through an exclusive gastronomic showcase. These women, each a torchbearer of regional Indian flavors, will transform the dining landscape with their time-honored recipes, passed down through generations and reimagined for the modern gourmand.

Chef Sumitra Kalapatapu, hailing from Visakhapatnam, bagged the title of ‘Best Homechef’ in 2018, turning her passion for food into a business with Sumi’s Kitchen, hosting pop-ups and making various pickles inspired by authentic vegetarian Andhra cuisine. Renowned for serving rare Andhra Brahmin food from the West Godavari district, Sumitra will tantalize your taste buds with signature dishes like Punugulu, Drumstick Gojju, Ghongura Pulliara, and Carrot Payasam. Chef Prasanna Gokhale, carrying forward the lineage of the Pathare Prabhu community of Maharashtra, will delight guests with signature dishes like Methi Prawn Bhajji, Suranchya Wadya, Solache Tisrya and Dashmya. Having learned the secrets and art of mouthwatering Parsi cuisine from her grandparents who were banquet caterers for Parsi functions, Chef Daugdo Ragina successfully converted her passion for Parsi cooking into a home-based business. Relish heirloom dishes like Chicken Farcha, Chutney paneer Pattice, Jardaloo Gosht, Paneer Patra, Moringa Patio, and Lagan Nu Custard by Chef Ragina.

From ancestral techniques to secret spice blends, this culinary affair will transport diners through the diverse gastronomic landscapes of India, offering a feast of authentic, handcrafted delicacies infused with personal narratives and deep-rooted customs. Join us as we raise a toast to these remarkable home chefs and savor an experience where every bite is infused with tradition and an enduring passion for food.

Women’s Day Celebration at Spice Kitchen:

Dates: 7th to 9th March, 2025

Time: 7 pm onwards

Andheri East, one of Mumbai’s most dynamic real estate markets, has been experiencing steady growth in property prices and infrastructure development. According to data from 99acres.com, property prices in Andheri East have witnessed consistent appreciation, driven by its commercial significance and expanding infrastructure. Over the past year, property values in the area have increased by 3.3%, while in the last decade, they have surged by 16.4%.

Within this prime property market, JB Nagar has emerged as one of the most sought-after addresses for luxury residential properties. JB Nagar’s transformation into a desirable residential location reflects the growing trend of urban development and the shifting preferences of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) who now seek premium living options in proximity to business districts.

As a micro market, JB Nagar benefits from its proximity to business hubs along with the domestic & international airports. The proximity of JB Nagar to key commercial hubs such as SEEPZ, MIDC, and the Andheri-Kurla Road, has made it an attractive option for professionals and entrepreneurs working in the vicinity. Additionally, its strategic location along the Western Express Highway, close to the airport, and well-connected to the Andheri Railway Station, makes it an ideal base for those who want both convenience and exclusivity.

Over the last few years, several top-tier developers have seen potential in the area, focusing on high-end residential projects aimed at affluent buyers.

According to a spokesperson from Chandak Group, “JB Nagar’s transformation into a premium residential area is a clear reflection of the evolving real estate dynamics in Mumbai. As professionals look for residences that offer a perfect balance between convenience and luxury, JB Nagar provides exactly what they need; proximity to workspaces, excellent connectivity, and an elevated lifestyle. We see a tremendous opportunity in this locality, and we are excited about the prospects.”

As per Housing.com, property prices in JB Nagar range between ₹23,529 and ₹25,174 per sq. ft., with the average price standing at ₹24,567 per sq. ft.

The demand for luxurious homes has surged due to the increasing number of professionals and business leaders who want to live closer to work but in an upscale, serene environment. Unlike other parts of Mumbai, where space comes at a premium, JB Nagar offers a rare combination of centrality and expansive plots, making it an attractive option for luxury living.

The trend has also been fueled by the significant development in infrastructure, including the Metro Line 7, which has further enhanced connectivity between JB Nagar and other key parts of the city.

One of the key factors behind JB Nagar’s emergence as a hotspot for luxury living is the availability of premium amenities such as sprawling parks, world-class schools, shopping malls, fine dining establishments, and spas. These features offer an unmatched lifestyle, making the area even more attractive to potential homeowners who value comfort and exclusivity.

As more developments take shape, JB Nagar is steadily becoming a cornerstone of luxury living in Andheri East. With its evolving infrastructure, prime location, and high-end offerings, it’s no surprise that this micro market is now attracting the attention of affluent buyers looking for a comfortable yet connected lifestyle in one of Mumbai’s busiest areas. Supported by solid financial data and a growing demand for premium real estate, JB Nagar is well on its way to establishing itself as one of Mumbai’s most desirable luxury residential neighborhoods.

India, 28 Feb 2025: Together, GoFloaters and MyBranch have published extensive research that details the remarkable expansion of coworking spaces and commercial real estate in Tamil Nadu. According to the research, the state contributes 8.8% of India’s GDP and has over 45,000 manufacturing facilities in industries including electronics, automotive, IT, and textiles. Tamil Nadu has been a popular destination for foreign investors and multinational corporations due to the state’s robust infrastructure, which includes Chennai’s sizable port and international airport.

The research also emphasizes how coworking spaces have grown rapidly throughout the region as a result of freelancers, startups, and established businesses seeking flexible office solutions. According to GoFloaters’ Co-Founder – Mr Shyam Sundar Nagarajan, “Customized workspace solutions are driving business expansion in Tamil Nadu, marking a vibrant change in conventional work patterns.” Prominent business districts such as Anna Salai, Mount Road, and Chennai’s Central Business District have become hubs for leading financial institutions and multinational enterprises. Since the IT sector occupies more than 60% of Chennai’s commercial real estate, the existence of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and IT parks, such as TIDEL Park and Ramanujan IT City, satisfies the demands of multinational IT corporations.

Chennai-Kanyakumari Industrial Corridor and Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor strategic plans have enhanced trade, industrialization, and urbanization by benefitting industries like IT, electronics, and the automobile sector. The startup ecosystem in the state has also gained momentum, having over 8,500 startups registered in 2024 and growing at the rate of 22% annually. Facilities like StartupTN and the support of more than 120 incubators have honed Tamil Nadu’s prominence as a startup ecosystem. Focused on strategic infrastructure development, technological advancement, and business-friendly policies, Tamil Nadu is on its way to formalizing its economy into a $1 trillion economy by the year 2030. The collaborative report from GoFloaters and MyBranch gives an in-depth run of the commercial real estate dynamics within the state, a growing coworking sector that presents great opportunities for both businesses and investors.

GoFloaters:

Founded in 2017, GoFloaters is a Chennai-based platform offering on-demand coworking spaces, meeting rooms, coworking/managed offices, and virtual offices across India. With a network spanning over 2,000 locations in 45 cities, we provide flexible, pay-per-use solutions tailored to startups and enterprises. Our services include hourly meeting room bookings, short-term offices, managed/coworking offices for SMEs, and virtual office addresses for company registration. Committed to fostering productivity and collaboration, GoFloaters enables businesses to operate seamlessly without long-term commitments.

MyBranch:

Established in 2016 by Mr. Narayan Bhargava, MyBranch is a leading provider of flexible office space solutions across India. With a presence in over 70 cities and 80+ locations, including all northeastern states, we offer managed and shared office spaces, virtual offices, and meeting rooms. Our mission is to empower businesses of all sizes to expand seamlessly by providing fully compliant, tech-enabled, and sustainable workspaces tailored to their unique needs. As a one-stop solution, we handle everything from location scouting to daily administration, ensuring operational efficiency and fostering community-driven growth.