Breathing Exercises

1
Breathing Exercises

• More than just breathing in and out!

2
Breathing Cycle

• Two phases
• Inhalation
• The invigoration or tension producing phase
• Exhalation
• The relaxation phase

3
Sensations associated with the inhalation phase

• Invigoration
• Increased tension
• Hardness tightening
• Expansion (chest region)
• Upward movement ascending
• Alertness
• Refreshment
• Preparation for action

4
Sensations associated with the exhalation phase

• Patience
• Comfort
• Contentment

5
Feelings associated with the exhalation phase

• Heaviness
• Sinking down
• Slowing down
• Letting go (of tension)
• Warmth

6
4 Basic Criteria of Breathing Exercises

• Breathe normally. Let your body breathe by itself
  and quietly observe yourself breathe just as if
  you were a bystander.
• Disregard the inhalations. Do not think about the
  inhalations at all. Permit your body to inhale by
  itself without any conscious thought on your
  part.
• Focus your attention on the exhalation phase of
  the breathing cycle. Concentrate and think about
  the exhalations.
• Feel and experience key sensations as you exhale.
  
• The key to the breathing rhythms is to feel the
  sensations as you exhale and only as you exhale.

7
Types of Breathing Exercises

• Breathing for Awareness
• Diaphragmatic or abdominal breathing
• Deep breathing
• Complete natural breathing
• Breathing for Release of Tension
• Breath counting
• The relaxing sigh
• Letting go of tension
• Breathing for Symptom Control or Release
• Abdominal breathing and imagination
• Alternative breathing
• Controlled breathing (tapes to pace you)