A.C.Y.A.

I was talking to a friend about my next blog post. It's the one in which I talk about varies ways to do simple deep breathing exercises. Being very supportive, he has provides lots of helpful feedback - usually over the phone, sometimes by email; but he never writes them in this blog's comment section - where I would prefer it (hint, hint).

Anyway, he says that I should post a disclaimer before giving instructions on how to do anything. "A - C - Y - A!!" he shouted into the phone the last time we talked. "Always cover your ass! God forbid that some one with a serious condition tries something you write about and winds up in a comma or something .... even if there's no liability, you'll feel awful when you hear about it... and believe me you will hear about it, 'cause people just love to talk 'bout that kinda stuff." He's a lawyer "want-a-be" with a flair for the dramatics. Still he makes a good point.

Now while I think the chances of that sort of thing happening are one in a hundred million, I am posting the following disclaimer just in case someone uses some piece of information I provide inappropriately. Please read it before trying anything talked about on in this blog or in any other blog, website, podcast, CD, DVD, video, or book, that I may recommend.

• The contents of this blog reflect the opinion of the author only. The postings are for informational purposes only. Opinions expressed should not be construed as medical advice. The particulars of any person's concerns and circumstances should be discussed with a qualified health care practitioner prior to making any decision which may affect the health and welfare of that individual or anyone under his or her care.

Peace, LR

Ain't it funny...?

It's been nearly three months but I'm finally back! I stopped blogging to concentrate on getting my files out of storage. I've been collecting material covering everything from aerobics to yoga for years, and I plan to use a lot of it in this blog. But getting it all boxed and moved to where I am now turned out to be a major undertaking. The storage unit is about 80 miles away and I only had the use of a friend's small pickup. It took several trips, which took several days. Then the sorting and filing of literally hundreds of documents - I started that all this almost 3 months and I am still at it. I think I have enough material for the next twenty years. I especially wanted to find stuff I have that describe various breathing exercises, but that material didn't show up until last week. So I am ready to pick up where I left off.

But... ain't it funny how the thing you're looking for always is the last thing you find?

See you later.

Peace, LR

List of Benefits

To paraphrase Jordan Rubin in his book, The Maker's Diet: Deep breathing exercises fires up the body's fat-burning capacity; floods your brain with oxygen; caresses your innards; and eliminates a lot more gunk from your system. Not convinced yet? Read on! A daily practice of deep breathing exercises does the following:

• Promotes relaxation: it facilitates muscular relaxation, and the relaxation response, thereby relieving feelings of tension, anxiety and nervousness.

• Lowers blood pressure: If you are hypertensive need I say more?

• Slows down your heart rate: The slower your heart works, the longer it can work!

• Improves immune system: I went for years without so much as a cold when I was doing it daily.

• Hastens convalescence: If you do get sick, like when a friend with a bug sneezes on you, and you catch the bug, your won't be sick for very long; and when you're well again remember to stay away from that friend!

• Increases blood circulation: Sluggish circulating blood even sounds creepy.

• Increases oxygen and blood flow to the brain: That improves memory, alertness, problem-solving, and decision-making skills; after awhile you wake-up feeling smarter.

• Improves complexion: You'll look healthier.

• Increases stamina: You'll have more energy.

• Increases metabolic efficiency: That's the increased fat-burning capacity Jordan Rubin talks about in his book.

• Generates inner energy (ch'i) and cultivates the ability to channel it effectively: I'll write about ch'i - what it is and how it benefits you - soon.

• Focuses the breath for meditation: I'll also discuss meditation in a future post - what it is, how it's done, and why to do it.

• Increases the body's ability to eliminate toxins: The more you can get rid of, the healthier you will look, feel and be.

• Minimizes the effects of aging: Some good things come with age - wisdom, patience, senior discounts, Medicare - but a strong vigorous body isn't usually one of them. Practicing deep breathing daily for a few minutes will help you to stay in good shape longer.
  

I've probably forgotten something, but you get the point. Here's all you really need to remember: Deep breathing is good; shallow breathing is bad; and, not breathing is very bad.

Peace, LR

The Benefits of Deep Breathing Exercises

OK, I've written enough about the negative effects of shallow, upper chest breathing. Let's take a look at the benefits of a daily practice of deep breathing exercises.

Jordan S. Rubin, in his book The Maker's Diet, tells us that "...deep-breathing exercises will increase the fat-burning metabolism of your body and 'boost your brain' with rich doses of oxygen."

He points out that "Deep breathing literally 'massages' and moves the soft internal organs inside your rib cage, allowing your lymph system to rid itself of collected toxins and collect even more," - so it can do its job better.

And he concludes by saying: "Only deep breathing allows you to tap the 'bonus power' of your lower lungs."

Now, if this isn't enough to convince you that starting a practice of deep breathing exercises is a no-brainer, maybe the list of benefits I'm going to post tomorrow will.

Until tomorrow, peace. LR

Sweet Poisons

Drinking soda - even occasionally - is definitely not good for you. For one thing the stuff makes you fat. And it doesn't matter whether it's diet or not. According to a new study a daily soft drink will increase your risk of gaining weight and developing diabetes.

Researchers tracked the health of 6,000 middle-aged Americans over the course of four years, and found that the people who drank a soda a day, whether diet or regular, had an increased risk of getting fat and becoming unhealthy.

"We were struck by the fact that it didn't matter whether it was a diet or regular soda that participants consumed," said Boston University professor Ramachandran Vasan. Both groups of soda drinkers had the same increased risk of becoming obese - 31 percent - and a 44 percent higher chance of developing risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.

One researcher, Ravi Dhingra, told Agence France-Presses: "It may be that soft drinks condition a person's palate" for sweets. The researcher went on to speculate that it could also be that diet soda doesn't cause eating habits and disease; instead, it may be that people who already have a weakness for sweets tend to gravitate toward soft drinks.

Well, whether it's the cause of weight gain or not, the study results are clear: there is a relationship between the consumption of carbonated soft drinks and weight gain in America. But there are a lot of reasons to stop drinking soda, all sodas - the low calorie stuff that they call "diet" as well as that "liquid candy" known as "regular." There's the fact that frequent consumption may also increase your risk of osteoporosis - drinking soda while trying to strengthen your bones is just counter productive; then there's the tooth decay problem (due to the large amounts of sugars, mostly high-fructose corn syrup) and dental erosion (due to the acids).

I could say more, but I feel a tirade coming on. It really pisses me off that companies continue to market these concoctions, these sweet poisons, as "refreshing" and wholesome "thirst-quenchers" which we keep consuming, becoming fat and fatter, and more and more unhealthy in the process - so don't get me started!

Peace, LR