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[dazned]

 Can anyone suggest some good deep breathing techniques please ?

Noticed that I'm still holding my breathe mostly when sitting down, but I can't walk about all day ! 

Think this might help with tension etc . See I can't even breath properly now  x

[Joyce]

I do a fair bit of that too.  However, if you sit/lie quietly & concentrate solely on breathing in & out it helps. My worst one is holding my breath as I swim. Now I'm not a freestyler, breast stroke with head above water & I get so far before I realise I'm holding my breath. 

[CLKD]

Can be done anywhere: take a deep breath in through the mouth and let out slowly through the nose.  3 times or you'll get dizzy ……. practice is important, so do it every hour even when feeling OK.  The idea is to let breath out counting to 5 but initially I couldn't maintain the time until I learnt to relax. 

Sitting quietly for 10 mins every hour.  Stretch the muscle groups tightly then relax - I usually start with my toes and work upwards.  Makes the brain concentrate on the stretch/relax routine.  It is 'me' time 

Sometimes I have to bend over to draw a deep breath ………. I had this a lot when menstruating …… bloating made it worse.

[dazned]

Thanks I will practise CLKD 

Just had a quick try and must have looked like a beached guppy 

Made me smile will do it properly later on x

[Limpy]

I think the main thing to remember when breathing, is that when breathing in, the tum / gut below the ribs should expand and come out. This allows the diaphragm to move, giving space for the lungs to expand into. When breathing out, the tum should move in, pressing the air out.

In days gone by, people were told to expand the top of their chest, when taking a big deep breath in.
This is a waste of time, the lungs aren't in the top of the chest.

A useful breathing exercise, think it's used in yoga for relaxation. Breathe in for a count of 5, hold for a count of 5, and exhale for a count of 5.  The count used can vary.

[CLKD]

Singing is good too! my music teacher told me that not many people use the full lung capacity anyway  - back to that MM Choir then?

[Limpy]

Oooh not sure about that CLKD.
I'me a brass player don't think I could bring myself to sing.
Wasn't encouraged in the Horn section I was in..........   

[Dulciana]

I've got a musical one too.   If I breathe slowly in and out along with some gentle music as it rises and falls (not necessarily 1-2-3-4), I find the breathing and the music together calm me down.    Sometimes, I find myself doing it subconsciously.   But it has to be soothing music to start with.

[honeybun]

When my daughter was very little she had chest problems....long story....umpteen infections. When I used to call the doctors on call to come out with a nebuliser one of the questions they used to ask was.....what part of her chest was moving when she breathed in and out. If it was the  upper part then it was not good if it was her tummy going up and down then there was no rush.

I think the moral to that is efficient breathing comes from the diaphragm and not the chest. When I am anxious I forget to breath at all  ...deep and slow...say the words ....in and out. Rest your hand gently on top of your tummy to feel the movement. Probably best to practice in a quiet place to get into the habit because although it sound simple it's really not but gets easier the more you do it.


Honeyb
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[CLKD]

In the bath works for me  …… didn't know about the tummy breathing bit 

Another way is to breath into a brown paper bag - apparently …….

[honeybun]

Don't know why CLKD but I dont think that is recommended any more.


It's the movement of the tummy that is the important bit. It really sounds easy but its anything but.


Takes practice.


Honeyb
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[Limpy]

The tummy breathing bit is really emphasised in serious brass and wind playing.

[CLKD]

Not something we were taught when I learned recorder and clarinet in the 1960s 

Probably can't buy brown paper bags these days 

[Limpy]

Aha - When I bought big mushrooms today, they came in brown paper bags.
Brightened my day no end, mind you, doesn't take much   

[honeybun]

Breathing into a paper back used to be used if a person was hyperventilating. It's now thought that this makes the situation worse.


Maybe keep your bag just for your  mushrooms Limpy 






Honeyb

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