Just Breathe! is the ezine of The International Breath Institute (IBI) sent to you from Dr. Tom Goode. IBI shows you how to enjoy optimal health through lifestyle management -- learning to live in alignment with your holistic nature. We provide shortcuts from science, tips for your health, and reminders about your breathing.

Content
IBI's web site focuses on Full Wave Breathing because it is the single most important exercise for your health. Use it to get well, be well and do well.

Healthcare
Either you take care of your health or you don’t. If you don’t you become a participant in what is known as “Healthcare.” Healthcare is a system predicated upon the study of sick people and focusing on how to “fix” them. It addresses symptoms rather than causes and treats disease as an enemy to be eradicated.

Self-Responsible Self Care
If illness were a message concerning stressors in your mind and body, as opposed to thinking of illness as an opponent, how would you treat it? Likely you would cooperate with your body using principles based upon natural health. The first place you might start is at the beginning-with the most basic foundation of life, your breath.

Your mind and body work pretty well until you start storing stressors in your breathing muscles. Then you become a shallow breather, creating chronic tension that wears down your immune system. Your blood becomes toxic. Lacking oxygen and energy, your body is unable to defend itself against environmental stressors. The result is disease.

Holistic Practices
The most basic holistic health practice is breathing. Breathing affects everything. Your entire system moves toward greater harmony if it is harmonious. Master your breathing and you master the ability to stimulate your healing resources.

Use your breathing to promote the unimpeded flow of consciousness through every cell in your body. Healing takes place on all levels. Your breathing determines your physical vitality, your emotional calmness, your mental focus and your spiritual awareness.

Today's Challenges
Stressors that the mindbody can’t integrate create energy draining patterns. These include environmental, lifestyle, economic, social and family stressors. Each person must become reactively competent in learning how to manage stress on all levels of life. Eliminate exposure to toxins, drink pure water, feed your body nourishing foods, exercise, meditate and breathe to prevent and reverse aging symptoms and to ward off disease. This month’s accompanying article by psychologist Lloyd Thomas, Ph.D. provides you with a deeper look at taking action.

The Duh Factor
Reuters reported a study of 22,000 people over a 5 year period which showed that those who exercised lost more weight and maintained the loss better than those who did nothing. This triumph of science discovery amazes no one as the human body is designed to move and works best when exercise is a part of an everyday lifestyle.

This amazing new piece of information was just announced: a healthier diet may cut the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Plus, Reuters announced that research “suggests that marital strain may be particularly damaging to older adults' health.”

Your Healthy Heart and The Cholesterol Myth
If you were to watch TV you’d be convinced that high cholesterol was the cause of heart disease and that statin drugs were the cure. Involved in only 16% of heart disease, cholesterol is a natural substance found in every cell. It is the bodily repair substance, a powerful antioxidant guarding against aging and cancer and required to make Vitamin D, cell membranes and testosterone.

Statin drugs, on the other hand, are unnatural substances. Taking them leads to muscle weakness in 98% of those taking Lipitor; neuropathy--the symptoms of which increase over time; depression; memory loss, and even heart disease. Cholesterol is needed to make testosterone, vitamin D and cell membranes, and functions as a powerful antioxidant-–protecting you from cancer and aging. Dr. Al Sears reports in his Today’s Healthy Answers column that congestive heart failure rates more than doubled in the first eight years statin drugs were available.

Fortunately heart disease symptoms can be treated with nutrition, and the disease itself prevented and reversed. Visit http://www.greathealth-tour.com/health to find out about an all-natural remedy that is guaranteed to work regardless of your cholesterol level or your family history. Lifestyle changes including exercise, stress relief and a healthy diet also help, but, as another comprehensive study shows, most people find them difficult to maintain. Maybe I should have placed this last comment in the Duh Factor paragraph.

Water Watch
In 1997, Local 2050 of the National Federation of Federal Employees stated, “Our member’s review of the body of evidence over the last eleven years indicates a causal link between fluoride/fluoridation and cancer, genetic damage, neurological impairment, and bone pathology. Of particular concern are recent epidemiology studies linking fluoride exposure to lower IQ in children.”

More recently, on March 22, 2006, the National Academy of Sciences concluded that the current limits on how much fluoride is allowed in drinking water nationally can cause health problems and “should be lowered.” How much is in your water? It depends, if you live in states where high levels are caused by rock and soil formation, you are already at risk. Those states with high natural levels of fluoride include Virginia, South Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma.

162,000,000 American had artificially fluoridated water as of the year 2000. Hopefully, this latest report will help communities to make needed changes. At home, a reverse osmosis water purification system will remove fluoride as well as chlorine, arsenic, lead, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that are in most people’s drinking water, undermining immune function and health. At least get a faucet filter for your home drinking water supply and avoid bottled water and other products with fluoride in them. Find out more at http://wwwFlourideAction.net

Don’t bother taking those oxygenated water products for to increase athletic output. According to a Reuter’s announcement: “There is no scientific evidence to support that drinking "super oxygenated" water enhances athletic performance, researchers from Austria report.”

Water Facts
• Consumers spent over $100 billion a year on bottled water in 2004
• Bottled water consumption has grown to 41 billion gallons worldwide in 2004, from less than 26 billion in 1999-an increase of nearly 60%.

Microwaves and Food
Virtually every restaurant uses a microwave to warm food. Did you ever wonder how that might affect your cells? Take a look at this site for some startling information: http://www.execonn.com/sf/

New Oil
Look for Fractionated Oil now showing up on your grocery shelves. With all of the noise made about the dangers of transfat and the new requirements imposed on manufacturers to list it on packaging as an ingredient, fractionated oil is being used as a substitute. In the processing, vegetable oil is separated into different parts and the more saturated part is substituted for the hydrogenated (transfat) oils. This healthier alternative is a positive step in the right direction; although, there are those who are concerned about increasing amounts of dietary saturated fats. I am not one of them.

Book Update
The Holistic Guide to Weight Loss, Anti-aging and Fat Prevention is going to be published in Arabic by a Saudi firm. You can still get it in English. Also available is the newly announced Help Kids Cope with Stress and Trauma an invaluable guide to understanding the development of disease in both children and adults.

Product Update
The Cosmic Waltz Inner Harmony set of 11 CD’s for breathing and personal transformation is still in process. This week the imprints for all of the CD’s were completed to go along with CD manual. The packing will be in a “wallet” that holds each CD in its own sleeve. It is easy to carry and store, and handy to use. The introductory price for all of the manual and five hours of music this will be only $120.

Behind the Curtain
For years now I have been talking to people about learning to direct their breathing and improve their health on all levels. Now let’s talk about your spiritual health as a soul. Once you become sufficiently aware—with practice—of managing your breath, you naturally become more aware of thoughts that precede breath holding and other stress responses and become empowered to change them. You are then able to substitute thoughts of love and forgiveness for less wholesome ones. You, as a soul, having a mind and body, learn how to better utilize your life energies as a natural consequence of practicing your Full Wave Breathing. The “watcher within” or observer consciousness is strengthened and it becomes easier to stop those actions that compromise your health and expand those that enhance it. Plus, Full Wave Breathing feels good. Take three or more of them as you sit and read now.

Healthcare Update
Worldwide prescription drug sales topped $600,000,000 in 2005. US sales were over $250 Billion. The US spends 15% of its economic output, almost $2Trillion on its version of healthcare (sickcare) with the projection by 2011 expected to total $3 Trillion. The drugs in the US account for 2.2 million serious injuries each year and 5% of hospital admissions. 95% of the drugs have natural alternatives and besides, they only treat symptoms.

While in China, Russia, South Korea and Mexico drug sales grew by 81%; people are catching on in the US and the other nine major markets where sales grew by less than 6%. If you’d like to know what is behind these phenomena, visit: http://www.mercola.com/townofallopath/townofallopath.htm

Heart Health
More than 50 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure and many don't even know it! Another 45 million have a very risky condition called “pre-hypertension.” The natural, no-cost remedy is Full Wave Breathing.

Heart disease erupts with a host of symptoms and, thus far, all of the costly traditional medical alternatives have not stopped or slowed its progression for the increasing numbers of Americans who suffer from them. Fortunately, the heart responds very quickly to nutritional therapies.

A recent announcement on CNN echoed the traditional treatment advice: Lose weight, don’t smoke, exercise and lower cholesterol. My regimen for preventing and remedying heart disease symptomology appears in both of my latest books under the heading the Four Pillars of Health. They are: Nutrition, Breathing, Exercise and Meditation.

Allergy Update
If you or family members suffer from springtime allergies, consider “Butterbur.” Butterbur is a centuries-old plant, the root of which is use to treat fevers, plague, chronic cough and asthma. Now it has been found to be as effective as the leading prescription medications for treating common allergies. If it were my body, (I use this phrase to avoid offering medical advice) I’d consider taking it for its antispasmodic, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effects.

Toward a Healthier Future
Benzene is a common industrial chemical that has long been classified by the EPA as a human carcinogen with long-term exposure leading to leukemia and other blood cancers. Now it has been found that it is formed when two common ingredients found in soft drinks react to exposure to light and heat. "Soft drinks that contain ascorbic acid and sodium or potassium benzoate include Diet Pepsi Wild Cherry, Fanta Orange, Hawaiian Punch, Mug Root Beer, Pepsi Vanilla, experts in pediatrics and activists for student health. In it they asked that state and local education officials halt the marketing and sales of certain soft drinks in schools.

Comment: Even though Benzene was discovered in soft drinks over 16 years ago, the FDA kept it quiet after assurances from the soft drink industry that it would solve the problem. Next, what about the sugar and artificial sweeteners that contribute to diabetes, weight gain and mood problems?

Complimentary Approach
For treatment from the best of both worlds, tell anyone you know who has been diagnosed with cancer about www.centurywellness.com.

Full Wave Breathing for Teens
It was amazing, I was really happy. I had more energy with breathing and only one hour’s sleep that I would have if I’d had twelve hours sleep. Before this, I was caught up in stuff at school like everyone’s anger, and now it doesn’t touch me. I completely shed all the barriers I put up to that part I don’t want others to know about—the stuff deep inside. Other people take drugs and alcohol to fee the way this breathing makes me feel. My life is different that before, but I can’t put my finger on it. Remember how I said I wanted to be more of myself all the time—like not get pushed off center. Well, I feel like I’m in touch with myself and not so influenced by what’s around. I’m clearer, and it was great laughing like that again. T.A. age sixteen (Excerpted from Help Kids Cope with Stress and Trauma)

EXERCISE CORNER:

Use Full Wave Breathing to inspire yourself so you can inspire others!

The Single Most Important Exercise is Full Wave Breathing

Step One of Full Wave Breathing

Place one hand on the abdomen below the navel and the other on the chest. As you inhale, hold the chest still; allowing the abdomen to expand as if you are filling a balloon. Stretch and extend the lower belly. Relax completely into an inhale at the point where the abdomen is distended fully and the lungs are filled. After exhaling, inhale immediately. The chest does not move at all.

Continue breathing with no pause between inhales and exhale. All of the emphasis is upon your inhale. The exhale is a release of the tension created during your inhale. So you will Inhale and relax...inhale...and relax. Continue as you read this instruction to see how simple it is to perform. Breathe through your nose or mouth as you desire. You increase oxygenation by over 50% when you breathe through your mouth because of the normal restriction in nostril breathing.

Close your eyes as you are breathing and then relax for a few minutes when you are done. Allow your breathing to normalize before continuing with your activities. You may perform this exercise while sitting at the computer, riding in the car, or even watching television. Start practicing this exercise today and you'll be pleased with your result!

To help you stay focused on your breathing, place a book or weighted bag on your lower abdomen when lying down and performing the exercise. If you are sitting, to keep your spine erect, imagine that a rope is attached to the middle of your head. The rope rises into the air. In your imagination, allow the rope to gently lift you up until your spine is erect. Sit straight, be open, and breathe.

Step Two of Full Wave Breathing

Continue breathing with no pause between inhales and exhale. Inhale and Relax...Inhale...and Relax.

Count 1 as you inhale and expand your lower abdomen in Step One. Count 2 as you lengthen your inhale and push out the middle of your torso at the solar plexus. Release tension and allow the body to exhale and repeat. Perform this exercise anytime to relax. Do not perform connected breathing when driving or operating machinery.

When lying down, place a pillow under your knees, not under your neck. When sitting, allow yourself to stretch and open your spine as you sit and breathe.

Close your eyes as you breathe and then relax for a few minutes when you are done. Allow your breathing to normalize and return to your tasks.

Step Three of Full Wave Breathing

Continue breathing with no pause between inhales and exhale. Inhale and relax...Inhale...and relax.

Count 1 as you inhale and push out your lower abdomen. Count 2 as you raise the breath and energetic focus to your solar plexus. Count 3 as you move your breath and muscular focus up into your chest, stretching your intercostal muscles, shoulders and back of the neck. Relax completely when you exhale, allowing the muscles to soften. There is no effort or tension involved in your exhale.

Close your eyes as you breathe and then relax for a few minutes when you are done. Allow your breathing to normalize before continuing with your activities. Perform this exercise anytime you are sitting passively to provide a quick and effective energy boost and relaxation. Keep your spine straight if sitting and allow to your body to move as you breathe and relax. Feel the wave of inhale as air enters your body and the wave of exhale as it leaves. Increase the volume of air and pace of breathing and feel how it affects your experience.

Since resolving stress at the cellular level is below our awareness, there are times when the breathing is accompanied by laughing or crying as old chemistry breaks up. Simply keep breathing! Allow your body any movement that arises and remember to relax fully when you exhale, softening all your muscles. Continue breathing at your own pace, deeply and fully.

Maintain your own pace and be willing to experiment. Your pace will normally change from day to day and during a session of Full Wave Breathing. Playing music as you breathe helps keep you focused in a gentle rhythm. The Cosmic Waltz, offered by Inspired Living, is the best I know of for this purpose. It focuses on the heart center and expands relaxation throughout the body.

Keep breathing!

Tom

All material in this ezine is presented as information only and should not be constructed as medical advice or instruction. Readers should consult with appropriate licensed health care providers on any matter relating to their health. The information provided is believed to be accurate and based on the best judgment of the author. None of the statements in this ezine have been approved by the FDA.

"How things look on the outside of us depends on how things are on the inside of us."