Breathe deep

Poor breathing robs your energy and negatively affects mental alertness by preventing enough fresh oxygen from reaching the blood stream. Without properly expanding the rib cage the surrounding muscles get stiff, causing inhalation to become more difficult.

Rapid shallow breathing often caused by poor posture and weak or stiff muscles leads to poor oxygen supply, respiratory disease, sluggish reflexes and/or heart disease.

To practice breathing correctly…

• Sit up straight.
• Place one hand on your belly.
• Breathe slow and deep, feeling your hand rise and fall.
• Let your shoulders drop.
• Feel your body relax and renew.

I take about 4 seconds to breathe in (expanding my belly out) and 4 seconds to breathe out. Eventually your muscles, lungs and ribcage will adjust, allowing you to breathe correctly on your own, without relying on the exercises.