Just Breathe! the ezine of The International Breath Institute (IBI), is sent to you from Dr. Tom Goode. IBI shows you how to be fully alive and in 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 become fully alive--get well, be well and do well.

Healthcare
You either take care of your health or you don't. If you don't, you become a participant in what is known as "Healthcare," 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 not your enemy, and instead was a message concerning stressors in your mind and body, how would you treat it? Likely you would cooperate with the body using principles based upon natural health. The first place you might start is with the most basic foundation of life, your breathing.

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, and lacking oxygen and energy, your body is unable to defend itself against environmental stressors. The result is disease.

Holistic Practices
The foundation of all holistic health practices is deeper, effective breathing, which affects your respiration, circulation, vitality, digestion, assimilation, and more. Breathing affects your entire system. Master your breathing and you master the ability to stimulate your healing resources.

Have high blood pressure? 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. Practice Full Wave Breathing for 30 days, and you will see your life improve.

Read It Over and Over
The information in the opening section of the ezine is repeated so it becomes ingrained in your consciousness. If you were to get just the breathing part you would be able to effectively manage 85% of your biochemistry and boost your mindbodysoul system’s natural healing ability.

Simple Yet Vital
If you were to “get” the value of breathing and actually employ its daily use as an exercise leading to a healthy habit, you’d be well on your way to avoiding disease and enjoying life more fully. Enjoying life more fully will allow you to make a greater contribution to the life process itself.

Usually the human tendency is to have to hear or read things many times before acceptance sinks in. The normal process when an idea is introduced is to discount it. Repeated exposure brings us to acceptance, and, finally adoption of the idea.

There is Hope
My hope for you is that you will adopt the information I present to you, test it and make it part of your improved life. Thank you for subscribing to the Just Breathe ezine. Write to me with any questions; I welcome them.

A Resolution
As indicated in the last issue of Just Breathe!, the ezine’s focus will henceforth be on the mindbodysoul aspects of holistic health. The audience is the awakened, those who know themselves to be multidimensional beings with physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects; those who practice their purpose in lives of greater enlightenment and service through the pathways of Love, Joy and Peace.

Ten Day Test?
Did anyone dare to tap into their limitless personal power by engaging in the Ten Day Test? Based upon the underwhelming response in my email box, the answer is no one.

It still amuses me how upset people can get about the condition of the world—environmentally and politically—and do nothing about their own personal condition. As Ganhdi pointed out, we must become the change we desire. So if you have a ten minute exercise that could transform your life, what would you do? The answer is you would keep reading and doing nothing. That’s the way the ego works to convince you that the pressures of your outside world are so demanding that you can’t take ten minutes for your Self—to breathe and to be.

At some point awareness will dawn that behaviors produce consequence. Those who exercise have generally healthier consequences as do those who employ conscious eating. Those who do nothing also will harvest the crop they plant. Life is a dynamic process and a rewarding one for those who engage it and are in it.

Resources
Last month two websites were listed for your alternative health information. Three additional ones for you are www.lef.org, the website for the Life Extension Foundation; www.alsearsmd.com, and www.drjanson.com. All have articles and a free newsletter.

The Soul
If your interest is expanding of your consciousness (increasing conscious awareness) as a spiritual being, then this ezine is the right spot for you. If, on the other hand, your interest is limited to the more mechanistic aspects of health maintenance, there are others who will serve you better. That said, let’s move into the focus of our new year, already a month past. First let’s review where we have been:

The History of Medicine
2000 B.C. Here, eat this root
1000 A.D. That root is heathen. Here, say this prayer.
1850 A.D. That prayer is superstitious. Here, drink this potion.
1940 A.D. That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.
1985 A.D. That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.
2006 A.D. That antibiotic doesn’t work anymore. Here, eat this root.

Research in the latest mental health sciences demonstrate that the higher your consciousness, the more whole your life—health and happiness. To increase it just a little is significant because the increase is logarithmic and represents a transformational shift. To that end, let’s take a look at a simplistic model called:

The ABC’s of Higher Consciousness

To avoid your having to endure countless pages to make the point, the material is outlined below. Write me personally if you require further, elaboration, education, elucidation or empowerment.

Attitude--Either expectant or repellant; positive or negative; open or closed to Life; and embracing as differentiated from resisting.

Breath--Let your exhale demonstrate the complete surrender to God/Universe of all cares and concerns; becoming non-resistant to the tensions of the body, relax the cells, molecules and atoms.

Choice--Either you listen to the voice for Love or the voice for Fear, that of ego. One knows that all are innocent; the other blames and sees the guilty. Teach your brain to tune into the Love channel; access your essence.

Exercise for the Soul
Let’s first imagine that you have practiced Full Wave Breathing for a sufficient length of time in days to be comfortable with the mechanics and have done so for long enough to discharge some of your stored stressors and beneficently conditioned your nervous system to be able to handle higher frequency energies without disruption, disorientation or displacement of your focus. These preliminary steps are important.

The purpose of this exercise is to enable you to a place of positive attitude within --at those times throughout your days when you feel out of balance:

If you imagined a virtual universe where your Spirit identity was housed in a organic memory chip called your Soul, it would store capabilities and memories of mastery that would be passed on genetically and in more subtle ways. It would be the knowing within the Soul that enables you to relax, and to rely upon your Self. Being able to draw upon Soul freely means having access to information for a fulfilling, empowered form life. Let’s activate your soul chip now.

Seated comfortably, relaxing your body, exhale through your mouth and, pushing out your lower abdomen as you inhale, breathe fully and completely. Surrender your exhale, allowing it to collapse from you.

Then inhale more fully than your surrendering, stretching and filling yourself. Exhale and completely release tension, allowing every muscle to soften.

As you inhale this next time, imagine all of your earthly cares and woes being placed in a basket that you offer up to the Universe, God, All That Is. Surrender it with your exhale as you imagine the basket being lifted and disappearing into the clouds. You relax in the understanding that since Life is too big to conquer, it must be surrendered to. You now allow its mystery to enfold you as you inhale and exhale and participate with the Universe.

• You inhale, Universe exhales.
• You inhale, Universe exhales.
• Universe inhales, You exhale.
• Universe inhales, You exhale.
• Universe inhales, Universe exhales.
• Universe inhales, Universe exhales.
• Together You Breathe until you disappear and the mindbodysoul system begins to breathe on its own. Continue for 7 Minutes.

More on the Choice and the Voice for Love or Voice for Fear.
There is within each human an inner voice, a sixth sense that you can call spirit, God, or guidance. It is the Love perspective or seeing through the eyes of your spirit, your highest understanding. You have a physical, emotional and mental understanding or perspective as well. Utilize your highest understanding to get the best result for all.

When choices arise ask, “What would Love do?” When faced with a difficult situation causing emotions to arise and producing upset or confusion, ask “How would Love see this situation?” When making decisions ask, “What would Love counsel as being in the greatest good?”

It will assist you to breathe deeply as you repeat the question more slowly. Allow any pictures, intuitions, sounds, sensations or words to arise within your mindbody system. Feel the quality of the answer to verify Love’s answer. Think of the space in the center of your chest. Imagine you were breathing into it. Tune into the answer that comes from your heart, the voice of Love.

Questions and Answers
How can I find God?
God isn’t lost…and neither are you. God is the substrate of your being; your very Self and your nature as love, energy, spirit. Practice love and know God.

What technique can you recommend for me to develop my spiritual awareness?
Each person’s path is uniquely their own, so there is no one technique to be recommended. You are a path called (your name). Follow it, trusting that you will be led to discover the steps to take and as you take steps that occur to you that you are being led. The time-tested methods in combination and singly include meditation, breathing, whirling, drumming, chanting, sex, being in nature, and listening to, producing and writing music.

How can I know?
Who asks the question is the knower. When you do, you will. Until then, inquire within.

The Duh Factor
Breaking News from USA Today—Slower Breathing Can Lower Blood Pressure. And, says the ad for a product to regulate your breathing, you can experience all of this for just $249. {Hurry, Hurry, Order Now}. (You could get more benefit by having a telephone session with me.)

Lymph
The volume of lymph is three times that of the blood. Your lymph system is your waste disposal/sewage pumping mechanism at the physical level. Unlike the blood that has the heart to pump it, the lymph lies quietly until it is moved externally. This is why exercise is so important. The best exercise for moving your lymph is deep breathing. The next best exercise is jumping on a trampoline, including the miniature versions.

Technologies for the Soul
These are products that I have used that I know will be of assistance to you on your path of personal power, prosperity and presence. Links are provided for your ease in learning about them and ordering.

Music
The Cosmic Waltz—Give your body and brain a break with this musical transformational tool. It’s perfect to breathe with. Learn More...
Inner Harmony—Feel and free the inner flow of energy and ease with this home-study transformational program. Learn More...

Books
Fully Alive! - How to Live a Longer, Livelier Life, Have More Energy and Increased Sexual Enjoyment. Learn More...
The Holistic Guide to Weight Loss, Anti-aging and Fat Prevention - a no-fluff all you need to know manual to assist in your quest for health. Learn More...
Help Kids Cope - New stressors make our children’s life more difficult that we can imagine. Learn how you can help them now. Learn More...

CD Programs
The Hypnosis Network offers you proven methods to effectively shift your consciousness to a healthier state and change your mind for the better. Professionally crafted for maximum benefit, choose one or more of their many titles. Go to http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/hypnosis/self_esteem.php

I strongly recommend you add their self-esteem program to your library. It is one of a kind. You can listen to a Free demo by going to; http://www.hypnosisnetwork.com/hypnosis/self_esteem.php?kbid=1569

New Book
The Invitation to Divinity answers your questions of who and what you are and what to do about it in a mind-opening view of life and its soul expression. Designed to increase the level of awareness in consciousness by its reading, the mind expands and shifts to a more embracing and wholesome perspective. The Invitation provides you with must-have information to understand the world today, your role in it and what action to remain in harmony and balance. This is a book that every reader of this ezine will want to order and share with their friends.

You can download the first chapter at no-cost @ www.invitationtodivinity.com

Words of the Wise
No relationship in life can be any more successful that what we are willing to learn about ourselves through it. The moment we turn our backs on what others give to us to see about ourselves, we not only walk away from what we need to see, but also from the better person we could be - were we only willing to learn the lesson at hand.
—Guy Finley

And Another New Book Coming for You
Weary of the onslaught of statin ads on television and the unhealthy advice pushed upon the public as panacea and remedy, I have written a new book, available shortly:

THE HEALTHY HEART BOOK
HOLISTIC PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR YOUR WHOLE HEART HEALTH

The Healthy Heart Book strips away the nonsense and reveals the simple truth of keeping your heart fully functional and includes steps to correct existing problems. It is a mandatory read for anyone with a history of heart disease or for a loved one experiencing the condition. I tell you more about it next month.

Let’s Look at Your BS!
Yes, your health and consciousness are determined by your belief system or belief structure. Either way it is your BS that gets in the way of your living the kind of life you would like. How do you know? Take a look around you. Do you live in appreciation or apprehension; attunement or accommodation; agreement or anxiety. These are just a few of the questions I help you resolve when you call upon me as a Consciousness Coach.

Since each of us has created a different version of BS with which to contend, I won’t write a lengthy treatise on what to do. Others have done it and until you deal with the specifics of your own situation, you won’t get the results you’d like to have. That’s where I can assist you. Clearing is a process, not an event. The answers are within—and usually buried under emotional baggage, blocked by closed-loop thinking and drowned out by negativity. Yes, I am available for consultations as well as in-depth personal programs for your Soul’s delight and your spiritual realization. Check out the Consciousness Coaching Program and make a commitment to get right with your Self.

Awakening The Inner Reductionist—Your Higher Consciousness in Action
For a moment, consider being a reductionist when it comes to health matters. And allow for things be put in the simplest terms for easy understanding. For example, there is the disease called toxemia that underlies the symptoms of the day. Depending upon your genetic predispositions and thus-far accumulated damage, your personal expression of toxemia will be called heart disease, cancer, respiratory failure, etc.

Now imagine that you would like the best possible result from the least amount of energy expended—what I call being lazy. Imagine employing the easiest, most effective way of doing things balanced with the most efficient and least costly methods. This brings us to two steps to take
1. The first is to stop doing those things that make one ill, avoiding them like the ‘plague” they are—fake foods, thoughts that produce anxiety, sound pollution, constricted emotions, etc.
2. The second step to take is to begin practicing those things that confer higher levels of wellness upon the mindbodysoul system. The simplest, easiest and having the most impact is your breathing. It is the exercise you can do while sitting. Ten breaths here, ten there, while watching television, reading, listening to music; and shift focus to the balanced, aware reductionist self. See how that works now at your computer.

Doing Nothing Is Comfortable
This is easy knowledge to understand and not so easy to put into practice. Most people if they are out of pain or numb to it, take no action to move forward in their health pursuit and only reluctantly have turned to help with pills, potions or other prescriptions to relieve symptoms. All are innocent, held captive by a biochemistry that captures their body and mind, undermining health as it continues a path of decline.

Suppress one symptom and another arises, another energy leak springs forth. The suppression treatment itself creates an imbalance in the system.

Medical science will continue to seek treatments. The cure may be delayed, however, beyond the patient’s comfort or survival, and it may be costly in dollars or the cure itself may produce new symptoms that arise as side effects of that cure.

The reductionist, having weighed all costs in terms of effort, economics, and activity would agree to invest a little time in preventative activity and to improve the level of wellness. How can we be healthy - in the easiest way?

Doctor’s trips, hospital visits, treatment plans and travel times detract from the quality of life. The human being is a complex energetic whole, each physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspect coming into play. All is energy. How can we be healthy - in all ways - in the easiest way?

The philosophies of the ancients, their practices of breath, nutrition, sexual activity and other healing practices reveal basic ways to powerfully alter individual energy. The mystery schools and cabalistic scholars depict clearly the energetic worlds surrounding and informing us. And there is available extensive information and research into modern medical practice, its causes and origins, growth and development, strengths and weaknesses.

The reductionist eliminates what is not needed and adopts the lazy way, the doing of less. The lazy way is simple and it requires a willingness to grow and change. Accepting change is part of the lazy philosophy that tells you to do what needs to be done in reaching goals - based on a constantly moving target. Our lives are not lived by rigid schedule. Instead life intervenes in our plans.

It is very complicated to go into all of the details. To begin, there are countless names for symptoms. For example, under the category of heart disease there are subcategories with tests that disclose one and not another, pharmaceuticals that work with one and not another; dietary regimens for different body types; a host of side effects from foodstuffs, water and pharmaceuticals; popular herbs, vitamins and liquids; less commonly known botanicals, combinations, tinctures, oils, energy devices; along with physical, emotional mental and spiritual modalities. The lazy way is to avoid all of them.

The lazy way is to build upon the health that we have. First we consider the nature of the individual, their stressors, history and genetic tendencies. Then, predicated upon the mindbody system’s natural ability to heal, a course of action is selected by the individual and the work begins.

It is all about energy. You either have sufficient energy to heal on your own, or you need help. Most of us need help. To provide that assistance is the purpose of The International Breath Institute, Inspired Living and its websites: www.inspiredparenting.net and www.acpi.biz, www.drtomgoode.com, the books, cds, exercises, personal counseling and this ezine.

For the few, for the willing, for the rare individual dedicated to making as much progress as possible and living life to the fullest there is a simple, reductionist answer and a lazy way to proceed.

IBI Seminar Schedule
• One-Day Seminar in Warwick, Rhode Island on April 28, 2007
• Three-Day Facilitator Training in Warwick, Rhode Island on May 5, 2007

"Knowing others is wisdom; knowing the self is enlightenment." -- Tao Te Ching

Kitty Ki-Gong
Exercise is important to human life. The body gets bored with same-old, same-old activity. It enjoys variety and the feeling of stretching to new limits of growth. This particular exercise activity conditions the nervous system providing calm while increasing reserve capacity and bodily health.

As a researcher into the experience of human life, I’ve experimented with minimal forms of exercise for over 60 years and included: Football, baseball, basketball, track, gymnastics, bowling, weight lifting, calisthenics, rowing, dancing, isometrics, yoga, martial arts, wrestling, boxing, running, walking, jogging, home gyms, yard work, hiking and dog walking.

The Quest
All of this seeking has been to find the form that will provide the health benefits I desire with the least amount of effort. In pursuit of that goal, I now own one of those machines that exercises your body for you, filling it with oxygen. It still works and the 60cycle motor oscillation is disruptive to the present condition of my nervous system. So I asked the Universe to show me what to do—if I was to do as little as possible and still enhance physical health and vitality.

Ever providential, the Universe has blessed me with an answer to my problem, a next destination on my search. The latest regimen to now arise in my quest for the ideal exercise is a no-sweat exercise to strengthen and vitalize the mindbody system.

An Ancient Art
It has been taught to me by a cat. Cat master Al is a twelve year young Siamese who moves with the ease of a miniature mountain lion. This non-martial art is taught with the use of minimal equipment and is easy on the joints and muscles. It involves a cat toy—one of those sticks with a tail that floats through the air--and a cat. The cat engages in a game whereby it stretches and demonstrates its agility and physical competence with mock attacks upon the tail end of the cat toy.

Kitty Ki-Gong is a life art demonstrated by a cat. It sleeps most of the time—meditates really—runs around in short bursts for the fun of it and has all of its meals served. The exercise activity is essentially based upon the relationship between the cat master and the human disciple. Cats are models of patience for us humans.

To Begin
Disciple casts the soft toy end toward the cat and keeps it away at the same time. Should disciple find the cat has successfully pounced upon the feather-like end of the tassel, he must shake it rapidly as if it we pulsing with life. Disciple pulls tease-toy from the grasp of cat master in repeated mock escape.

The exercise part comes from holding the tension in the nervous system while engaged in the shaking and waving of the stick at the pace determined by the cat-master. It is like an isometric exercise with respect to holding tension. Continuous breathing allows disciple to match the cat’s energetic posing.

The tension of playing with the cat at the cat’s level of energy is a stimulant to energy—Ki—transmitting through the entire nervous system, relaxing, renewing and recharging the cells. To become a practitioner of the graceful art of Kitty Ki-Gong one must learn to follow the faster-than-the-eye can see movement, demonstrating extraordinary–to a human-cat reflex and control, deftness of control and persistent humor.

Brown Belt Level
Disciple thinks his own swift actions keeps cat master from destroying the tease-toy. This level is taught by cat master Al in single instruction, interspersed with quick dashes about the room.

Blue Belt Level
Discipline thinks cat is playing with him. This level is taught by cat master Al and one of his students. Indio is a going-on 3 year old Bengal. Marbled in silver and black, he is 3 generations removed from his wild Asian Leopard Cat ancestry. His natural, unquestioning competence as a cat and his enjoyment of it is an advanced teaching by itself. An acrobatic nature underpins his high arching and graceful leaps in pursuit of his tease-toy prey.

Human disciple is required to exhibit increased muscular control and focus and the simultaneous engagement of two cat masters in the activity. The equipment is the same, except you use two tease-toys—and are used by two cats.

No Belt Level
Disciple knows he is being tolerated by cat master and that the life of a tease-toy is held in His paws. No Belt level is achieved with 3 cats, anyone of which could whisk the toy away. Led by cat master Max who, with the other two keep the game going only so long as their disciple maintains focus, Cat master Max, is Indio’s larger twin, bold in color and more sensitive in nature. His engagement introduces a more studied rhythm into the activity. Throughout the duration of the exercise, disciple must realize and demonstrate his role as entertainment while engaged in continuous breathing and no-mind dancing in health building hops and stretches.

Health Enhancement
Bodily functions of circulation and elimination are greatly enhanced through the stimulation, providing the most advantageous exercise benefits with the least amount of effort available. Practice in two minute intervals, building up to six minutes. No Belt level movements are performed without abdominal tension.

The Basics
The cat master requires disciple breathe from deep within the belly, stimulating the Ki center below the navel. Breathing is continuous through the nostrils with no pause between inhale and exhale.

Movement
The lower abdomen is expanded from a bended knee posture on the inhale and the body rises to a point just before the knees lock-out on the exhale. The movement is repeated slowly, while disciple is waving his arm (or arms) and dancing the cat toy (or toys) in the air.

The Use of two tease-toys adds twisting, bending and stretching to the activity, all paced by the slow, deep, full breathing. Shoulder activity alternates between vibration and waving motions of tease-toy activity. Music can be included for added enjoyment in your Kitty Ki-Gong session. Play any music that the cat enjoys.

The Flow
Allow the cat to be the leader of the exercise as you breathe in and out in a continuous flow, expanding the belly from a bended knee posture. The body is allowed to relax into and moves in a harmonious dance with the in and outflow of the breath. Tease stick is flicked with alternate arms at No Belt Level. Both arms are used at no belt level. The cat leads the way and the discipline plays for as long as cat master engages. A minimum of one daily practice session is required to realize systemic benefit. More than one session is recommended to accelerate progress and can be as short as twenty or thirty seconds.

Repose
As is evident, practicing Kitty Ki-Gong is a vigorous activity. As such it is necessary that the disciple rest afterward and set aside time for recovery. Sitting and consciously breathing for 5 or ten minutes is recommended after each session, supported by massage, ease and other restorative activities including reading and cat petting.

Kitty Ki-Gong as an exercise offers the benefits of youth into old age, joy in living, and peace of mind. Practice will reveal it to be wholesome and rewarding.

In the event Kitty Ki-Gong is found to be too energetic for your present condition or your desire to do as little as possible and still be as healthy as you can, there is an alternative. You can build up to the level of stressors implied in Kitty Ki-Gong by first practicing Full Wave Breathing. Full Wave Breathing can be performed as a complete exercise with even less effort.

Closing Natural Health Tip
Boost your immunity with at least 2,000 units of Vitamin D daily and you’ll be following the latest and best advice from the world of alternative health.

Next Month: The Zen of Revealing

Keep breathing!
Tom

"To me there is no difference between one person and another; I behold all as soul-reflections of the one God. I can't think of anyone as a stranger, for I know that we are all part of the One Spirit."
-- Paramahansa Yogananda

EXERCISE CORNER:

Full Wave Breathing is a natural, drug-free, and dramatically effective way to experience health, joy and aliveness that mobilizes and supports your progression toward balance and wholeness. It is a method which accelerates and complements modern healthcare and treatment practices. Use it to inspire yourself so you can inspire others!

The Single Most Important Exercise is Full Wave Breathing

There are 3 Steps, simple as A B C: Abdomen, Belly, and Chest. First, breathe into the lower abdomen and keep your focus there until you can comfortably fill and relax that area of the body. Use your muscles to expand your lower abdomen, beginning at the top or your pubic bone. Second, after filling the abdomen (A) shift your focus to your entire belly (B) or midsection, stretching and distending your diaphragm and ribs as you inhale. Relax everything as you exhale. Use your muscles to push out the lower abdomen, then expand the area just above.

Third, filling A & B, shift your focus to your chest (C) and above. Having expanded the lower portions of the body, stretch up into the chest and back. Make all of your physical movements gentle and slow. All the movement to become very subtle and gentle as you alternately inhale and exhale without pause.

You may find it more comfortable to begin with distinct movements of your body. Allow the process to become like a dance of movement from bottom to top, top to bottom. Later, allow your body to remain completely relaxed as you visualize the movement of energy through you.

Repeat often for the most dramatic results. For more detailed instruction, read below:

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 is 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.

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."