Are You Breathing? Part 2
A New Path Article by Wendy Pollok
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I’m finally back to conclude my article on breathing. Thank you for being patient with me as it was more of a challenge than I thought it would be. Unfortunately, I can’t report any weight loss as a result of my practices. I was down a couple of pounds this morning, though probably due to the fact that my bladder woke me up several times in the night. It just didn’t happen for me at this time. Maybe I’ve been putting too much dressing on my lunch salad. I would be willing to bet I have.
I want to add this though, I’m not discrediting what Pam Grout and others have to say about breathing and weight loss. I feel certain that their information is correct; after all, it makes perfect sense. And I highly recommend Pam’s book, Jumpstart Your Metabolism. There is so much information there and it’s a great place to start if you want to learn more.
I had something else happen to me over the past several weeks but as Marci Shimoff (Author of Love For No Reason and Happy For No Reason) puts it “I don’t want to sound too California new age woo-woo”. So the best way I can say it is, since I’ve been practicing breathing, I have become more aware of myself, inside and out. For example, practiced breathing has made me more aware of “the spaces” I use when I breathe; the abdominal and thoracic cavities that make up the diaphragm. I am more aware of their relation to one another and by paying attention to the shape changes in the cavities, I can better feel where I am tight, maybe where I’m holding on to something that needs letting go. As I mentioned in my previous article, it supports emotional balance and amplifies mental clarity. It’s no mystery that these benefits of breathing have strongly surfaced for me in the past several weeks. In summary, my experience has been that of physical awareness and an acute increase in the ability to foster my emotional and spiritual self. Through my studies and observations I have come to believe that the way we breathe determines our entire life experience. I believe people who breathe properly (deep, smooth and relaxed) are healthier and live longer. And I believe, too often, we simply take breath for granted.
I want to add that I have noticed some physiological changes during the past couple of months that I will accredit to better breathing. These are better digestion, better energy, mood enhancement, and improved sleeping. Waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to return to sleep was becoming a big problem for me and this seems to have subsided.
My breathing practice has led me to something I feel is having an even bigger impact on me. Something I call my “40 Day Open Heart Practice”. I’m currently doing it day by day on Facebook. I’ve even sparked interest with a few of my friends and they are doing a version of their own as well. I am considering posting the practice as my next New Path Article; let me know if you would be interested. I really love feedback!!
As promised, I’m leaving you with a few breathing techniques you can try. Try them standing or sitting straight up. I’ve even done them lying back in a warm bath. The sounds of inspiration and expiration are amplified under the water, and it’s really quite fascinating.
Here’s a few breathing techniques you can try
Triangle Breathing- This is the simplest breathing exercise you can do. Inhale through the nose for a count of four. Hold the air in your lungs for a count of four. Exhale through the nose for a count of four.
Square Breathing- Same as Triangle Breathing with an added count of four after exhalation.
One-Four-Two Technique-Take a long slow belly breathe; inhale deep, through your nose. Lock the breathe inside and hold it for four times as long as it took you to inhale. For example, if you inhaled to the count of five, hold to the count of twenty. Now, exhale through your mouth with pursed lips for twice as long as you inhaled, exhale to the count of 10. Do you see the one/four/two pattern? You can also use a long word or phrase. For example you may use “I am happy today”…. lock the breath, and repeat 4 times “I am happy today”…. exhale “I am happy today” twice. This technique may take some practice.
I encourage you to learn more about better breathing. There are many great avenues to take. Yoga instructors are trained to teach breathing techniques and, as always, books are great place to start. Don’t forget OXYGEN is nourishment to your body. I know you care about your health or you wouldn’t even be reading this article. Don’t let your body starve for a good deep breath another day.
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Hello I'm Wendy Pollok. I have been an x-ray technician and patient assistant at Rockingham Chiropractic and Wellness Center since 2001. In the past ten years I have been on a quest to change my health, I mean, I can't very well assist patients in making better choices if I'm not making healthy choices, right? So for 10 years I've been reading, studying and applying, little by little, a healthy lifestyle. I call it my New Path and I am excited to share it with you. Through my articles at RCENO.COM I hope to extend my insight to Rockingham Country residents and hopefully encourage any of you to join me on a new path of fitness and healthy lifestyles. I am available at new.path@live.com feel free to email me.
Wendy Pollok is a Guest Columnist for Rockingham County Events & News Online; We at RCENO.com, Thank Mrs. Pollok for her contibutions to our content.Disclaimer: The Views and Opinions Expressed by the author are his or her opinions only and do not necessarily reflect those of RCENO.com, It's Staff, or Contractors.
