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
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 was 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 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 foundation of all holistic health practices is deeper, effective breathing, which affects your respiration, circulation, vitality, digestion, assimilation, and more. 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.

New, simplified instructions appear in this issue at the top of the Exercise column. Use it for 30 days, see what happens. Then, “pay it forward.”

Today's Challenges
Stressors that the mindbody can’t integrate create energy draining patterns. Yet we each have the capability to expand our capacity for stress and to thrive in the face of it. You already know how—eliminate exposure to everything that weakens your system and increase exposure to those things that strengthen it.

So, feed your body what it needs, give it the exercise it requires, meditate at least once daily, keep up with your Full Wave Breathing exercises, and engage life without judgment or negative opinion. These highly important actions are the subject of a new Teleseminar Course set to begin June 21.

The seminar is titled, Fully Alive! It focuses on The Four Pillars of Health that connect your physical nature to the divine. Two weeks are devoted to each pillar plus a summary at the end of the course. It’s about
• Breathing
• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Meditation

Together we’ll create and follow a plan for 21st Century Wellness that considers your whole being.

There are 9 weekly sessions in all and a site for you to listen to recordings of the weekly sessions 24/7.Participants call in to meet on Wednesday evenings for 90 minutes beginning at 8PM, EDST on June 21, take July 5th off and end on August 23. Tuition includes web-based support, text, and access to recordings of all sessions. Each week provides ½ hour for answers to your questions. Enrollment begins on June 5 and I’m putting together a special bonus offer for you that I’ll send in the next couple of days.

The Duh Factor
A new study loudly proclaims that giving adult dosages of any over-the-counter or prescription medication to children has adverse consequences. That it needed to be studied is amazing isn’t it? To me, to see this announced as a medical study is like receiving an announcement that having an elephant stand on your foot is more damaging that having a housecat do so.

Reflections on the Seminar
Seventeen people joined me for the Bridges of Love workshop in Rhode Island at the end of April. The theme was that for the world to change each of us must become the change we seek—extending love in all that we do. Important in the definition of love is our understanding of where people are and respecting that.

This means being loving to another by respecting their position and loving to ourselves by avoiding them if they or their behaviors and beliefs are toxic. The greatest gift we can give to others is the purity of our consciousness—expressed as love in body, mind and soul.

Our consciousness is already divine. What needs work is our awareness. The head, heart and gut all have brains. All three must be used in concert to produce actions that benefit all the whole mindbody system.

Most of us have so much stored stress that the only brains we hear is the head and gut—the intellect and the survival nature. The inner voice of heart (soul, spirit, love) speaks softly. By learning to listen to the heart as the arbiter between head and gut, and as the final authority for personal decisions, one leads a life that is “in-the-flow.”

Usually we don’t hear it and find life “coming at us” instead. Yet the stress can be removed and the static on the line quieted so it can be heard.

That led to the group learning about Full Wave Breathing. It is an amazing story of how one simple exercise can resolve stored stress, boost their immune function, normalize blood pressure, and optimize their performance in all areas of life.

They then practiced the breath, beginning with Step One. I continue to be amazed at how something so simple can be so powerful in its effects. And while our focus was on opening the heart and consciously radiating Presence, you can use it for your physical health, emotional harmony and mental clarity.

Combine Full Wave Breathing with selected keynotes, color imagery, and progressive musical pacing as you have the amazing Inner Harmony program. See the product update announcement below for more information.

Your Healthy Heart
The Associated Press reported at the end of March that a study of 1800 people discovered prayer didn’t work out for those having heart bypass surgery. Besides having “no effect on their recovery,” those patients who knew in advance they were being prayed for experienced more complications than unaware patients.

Heart attacks are the body’s screaming out for attention to underlying imbalances in the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual nature. Bypass surgery is great as a life-saving intervention. No surgery, however, can repair the underlying cause. That is up to you and me to take care off. Avoid heart attacks: Be respectful of all life, forgive everyone and everything, and treat your body like you wanted it to last for an entire lifetime.

High Blood Pressure
You may hear about eating less salt when it comes to lowering your blood pressure. However, increasing your intake of potassium may be just as important.

Of course you could have drug therapy. Yet researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that potassium supplements worked as well as drugs except they had no side effects. So consider supplementation if you have HBP. Begin with your food intake. Most fruits and beans provide a healthy dose of this electrolyte mineral. The best sources are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, carrots, dark leafy greens, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Spring Allergies Revisited
One reader found the suggestion to use Butterbur interesting and not very useful because it is not readily available. So, another natural remedy you can use is stinging nettle. Purchase it as a tincture. In France, grapeseed extract is used as a natural antihistamine. Eyebright is also known for its anti-allergen activity, and if it were my body, I would dramatically increase my intake of Vitamin C.

How about hidden allergens? Scientists say aspartame can produce a range of disturbing adverse effects in humans, including headaches, memory loss, mood swings, seizures, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's-like symptoms, tumors and even death.

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) went into effect January 1, 2006. It requires food manufacturers to state on their labels the presence of any of the following eight major allergens: Milk, Eggs, Peanuts, Tree nuts (almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc.) Shellfish, Fish, Soy and Wheat. Those on the list account for more than 90% of allergic food reactions.

Brain Burnout?
Yes, cell phones negatively impact your brain electromagnetically. This is in addition to any negative consequences from their ubiquitous use or the hazards posed while driving and talking on a cell phone. Your body tissues heat up like they were in a mini-power microwave oven. This increases free radical formation and oxidative damage to DNA; in turn inked to aging, cancer and impaired brain function. You can get radiation protective devices for less than $20 at http://www.cellphoneshop.net/ankit.html For a free report visit http://www.radiationreport.com/learnthetruth300.php

Product Update--It’s Finally Here!
The Cosmic Waltz Inner Harmony home-study, mystical, life-transforming musical program is ready. This holistic tune-up comes with ten musical CD’s that take you through the mindbody’s energy and endocrine system, providing specific keynotes to relax. A major benefit is the stimulation of your central nervous system to provide greater resilience, self-healing, and stress resolution.

You can now easily tune-up your entire mindbody system using breath, music and imagery. The Cosmic Waltz Inner Harmony program is a powerful, easy-to-use adventure into your Self. An 11th CD provides you with a complete instruction manual that you can print for your personal use and share with family members and clients.

Stress is growing. Yet the mindbody can expand its limits to embrace and thrive on even more stress. All you need is a holistic tune-up.

Since I didn’t want to hold up this issue of Just Breathe!, I’ll send you a separate email announcement with a description of the features and benefits. For those of you eager to order now without the sales letter, here’s the link.

Behind the Curtain
Years of stressors accumulate in your brain and body. Their number is vast; their cause irrelevant. You can relieve the build up of life-pressures simply and easily with Full Wave Breathing. Your spiritual health as a soul is based upon your ability to think clearly and be aware.

You can’t think clearly if all of your energy is being used to focus on day-to-day challenges. There simply is insufficient energy for you to draw upon within the body. Yet you can access unlimited energy through focused breathing. That’s where the mystical part of Breathwork enters the picture. Dedicate a Full Wave Breathing session to resolving stored stressors. Then report back to me if you don’t feel lighter, younger and more alive. Healthcare Update Reuters reports a new procedure—a stomach implant—that slows digestion and tricks your stomach into thinking you are full and absorbing less food. Is this the answer to obesity? Apparently the manufacturers think so, anticipating a positive response from the $5-$10 billion severely obese marketplace and over $100 billion for the general obese market.

There may, however, be a problem with the potential users in that only 15% of the obese consider themselves to be so according to studies conducted at the University of North Carolina. Their study included 104 adults ranging in age from 45 to 64.

Truth and Consequences
Researchers find that the obesity situation may be more desperate than previously perceived. Women, when asked their weights in telephone surveys, under estimated. Men, on the other hand, were more likely to report their actual weight—except that they may have added inches to their height.

• Yes, we are morphing into obesity. It is a natural result of the our system’s response to toxins in the food, air, water and environment including radiation from televisions, microwaves, computers and cell phones, use of cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and clothing.
• Yes, there are things you can do to protect yourself: Boost your immune system using a multi-faceted approach. Since the problem doesn’t arise from one source, it takes more than just cleaning up your food choices, avoiding smoking, or getting enough exercise.
• Yes, you need to do them all if you expect to get the greatest benefit. Small alterations in your everyday life can add up to gigantic gains for your whole health, energy and accomplishment.

Find Out How: Order The Holistic Guide to Weight Loss, Anti-aging and Fat Prevention.
Get Started Now: Join the Fully Alive! Teleseminar Course on June 21. I’ll send you a complete course description within the next few days.

Toward a Healthier Future
Memorial Day is a holiday to honor those who have served in the armed forces of our country, often giving their lives to defend our borders and protect our way of life. They deserve our appreciation, and we are grateful! Think of it this way, there are wolves, sheep and guard dogs. Let’s be reminded to give thanks to the guard dogs who keep the wolves away from the flock.

Memorial Day also signals the beginning of summer for most folks, and summer provides some special challenges for your health. Did you know that 80% of the damage to your skin from sun exposure occurs prior to age 18? The best way to avoid sunburn is to stay out of the sun.

Skin cancer appears in adulthood; the damage is done in childhood. Unprotected exposure to the sun causes premature skin aging so wear a hat and protective clothing with an sunburn protective factor (SPF) of 30 or more and apply generous amounts of sunbloc (SPF 30 or more) about twice as often as you think you need it. Have a great summer, and

Keep breathing!

Tom

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 comfortable fill and relax that area of the body. Use your muscles to “stick out” your abdomen that begins 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 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."