Proper Breathing Breathing is essential to life, and mastering proper breathing can greatly improve the quality of Your health. Today's concepts on the importance of proper breathing is the result of years of medical research started in 1958 by Carl Stough, and continued by Reece Stough in 1964. Every physical and emotional condition is, in some degree, the result of an insufficiency of oxygen. The diaphragm works to achieve a maximum exhale. This is necessary in order to maintain a low residual volume of carbon dioxide in the lungs. The diaphragm, which is a primarily involuntary muscle-organ, is the foundation for the entire respiratory system. It affects the two other main systems of the body, the circulatory and nervous systems. Diaphragm breathing is the natural way that the respiratory system is designed to function; maximum efficiency with minimum effort. Clinical studies including thousands of participants spanning a 30-year period offer persuasive evidence that one of the most significant factors in health and longevity is how well you breathe. Do you experience shallow, labored breathing; shortness of breath; a high chest; stuck, erratic, or reverse breathing? Are you unable to catch your breath? Do you have blue-tinted lips or fingernails; trouble sleeping; more than 6 -8 resting breaths per minute with 3-6 second pauses; heart beat irregularities; poor posture, mild to severe depression; tightness across your chest; excessive stress; asthma or COPD symptoms; constant fatigue; chronic pain; chest pains; anger; anxiety; hyperventilation? Do you think you can't sing or want to sing better? Breathing may be improved with safe and progressive diaphragm breathing exercises: Perform exercises 3 times/day. Start lying position and progress to sitting, then standing, as each position is mastered in time over days/weeks. Be sure to consult your doctor, first before beginning this or any exercise program. Exervcise Method: Relaxed deep inhale/exhale breathing cycle. Inhale deeply through nose and mouth, relaxing face and throat, focus at your belly button and expand abdomen which allows diaphragm draw down toward abdomen while filling lungs with air. Keep correct posture with upper torso relaxed and neutral. Slowly, start counting in regular voice eg. 1,2,3, while pulling belly button in toward spine and slightly up toward chest. Do not strain lower abdomen during exhale. Use singing rhythym and avoid overstrain by whispering toward the end of count. Continue counting until natural reflex inhale occurs. Complete with deep breathing cycle. Progress slowly. Increase in number counting means improved proper diaphragm breathing. Goals are to increase efficient breathing capacity, reduce stress and enhance the healing process. Short term goals attained in 1 to 3 months should be to practice and use proper abdominal or diaphragm breathing 50% of the time. Long term goals are to develop and master proper breathing techniques 80% throughout your activities of daily living.   Return to Our Services