Think about it - we all do it. Some do it more efficiently than others. To breathe more efficiently you must first look at your posture. I am not going to go into the extreme detail I will keep this simple. When you are hunched over you can not fill your lungs efficiently or have your diaphragm work properly. Sit or stand tall. Some of you will feel a stretching in the abdominal area and others will feel a tightening in your mid back muscles. That is a good thing. Remember mom always saying sit up straight. I am sure that she was not thinking of your breathing but how you looked to others. Anyway "Thanks MOM."
In order to learn diaphragmatic breathing place your hand on your belly. Take a slow deep breath and watch your hand move not your chest and shoulders. For some if you are in a lying down position (on your back) you can then watch your hand move up toward the ceiling. As you exhale you will watch your hand come back down.
For some individuals you may get lightheaded by taking in more oxygen than your body is used to. Just go back to your normal breathing pattern and the lightheadedness will pass quickly. Practice this style of breathing a number of times during the day.
For those of you that are active try to incorporate diaphragmatic breathing with your aerobic activities. You will find that you will be able to outlast your partner. I am able to outlast younger individuals on the tennis court because of my breathing. I watch as they huff and puff and ask for elongated brakes. Start slowly and by practicing diaphragmatic breathing as often as you can remember and it will eventually become part of your regular breathing pattern.
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