A Lesson in Diaphragmatic Breathing

Good Evening Folks,

It's a very warm evening here in sunny Florida!! But who's complaining, as long as we have air conditioning... thats all that counts!!

I would like to take you back to Lori Palermo's vacation with me at Ft. Myers Beach last month. One evening Lori and I were talking about her dad being barrel chested with his COPD and the different ways he would sit when he tried to breathe. I began explaining to her how we COPD'ers breathe differently than "Other Folks". Meaning that we use "Diaphragm Breathing". When folks without a breathing problem "inhale" their stomach goes in... but when we take a "breath" or "inhale" our stomach goes out. Lori and I practiced for quite awhile.

We had a good time and it was funny watching her... LOL, but it was also very educational. You actually had to be there to see us... both of us sitting face to face, our shirts tucked up, with our hand placed on our stomach, being able to feel and see the difference in our breathing technique. It's one of those things that you really have to concentrate on what you are trying to do... just ask Lori!! After several tries... well maybe MANY, MANY tries.... she finally accomplished the breathing technique. I even got a bit confused myself trying to go back and forth between her "normal" breathing and our COPD'ers breathing!

Now you ask... Why do we do this? Well, we are trying to exhale the stale air in
our lungs and exchange it for good clean air.

Put your hand on your stomach and practice your "Diaphragmatic Breathing".

I have attached two sites that will give you more information on Diaphragm Breathing.

http://www.pe2000.com/breathe.htm

http://www.petethomas.co.uk/saxophone-diaphragm.html

Breathe well my friends, breathing is how we live!

1 2 3... Inhale ... 1 2 3 4 Exhale

Sandy