"Life"

I just arrived home from my quarterly lymphedema meeting and I must say it was enlightening. We talked about being healthy, from the inside out. A topic that I have quite a bit of interest in. I have found that over the past couple of years, my desire to live a healthier lifestyle has been very much a part of my daily living. I am not a vegetarian, however meat is not a regular part of my diet, I have increased my intake of fresh vegetables, I'm working on the fruit (smile). Excercise has been a challenge due to lymphedema and knee issues, I'm getting there though. Overall I received very very good information today.

At the end of the sessions we have somewhat of an open forum where we are free to ask questions and discuss various topics (mostly surrounding lymphedema). We ended today's group talking about the importance of breathing. Something we all take for granted.

Life began with a single breath, but before that, God breathed the breath of life into Adam hence the beginning of mankind. Breathing is something we take for granted but let me personalize this thing...breathing is something I "took" for granted. Listen, I am an asthmatic, I have learned to appreciate every breath I take. Every single day I use an inhaler that clears my airways so that I can get the proper amount of oxygen/air. I am a singer (semi professional) and proper breathing is essential for correct enunciation and to receive the full power of the gift of song. I remember my voice coach teaching me correct breathing techniques, I would get light head, actually feel like I was going to faint and he calmly said that means you are doing it right. I also noticed that when I took a good deep breath it caused me to yawn...again a sign that I was doing it correctly. My body had to get use to the "correct" way. So if you see me singing and all of a sudden I start yawning, I am not sleepy I might just be breathing correctly (smile). I had surgery about two years ago and while I was in the operating room the anesthesiologist had to tell me to breath so that the anesthesia could work, what's funny is, I said to him "I am breathing" he looked me in my face and said Miss you are not breathing...oh, I thought I was. Why because it is so automatic I never gave it a thought. One good breath and I was out!

Breathing is something we do every day and everyday we do it wrong. Did you know that when you inhale your diaphragm should expand, causing your stomach to get larger (because it is filled with air). When you exhale your stomach should collapse (get smaller). Now just breath your normal way, without giving it thought...what happens? Are you breathing correctly. If not correct it next time. You may have to pay close attention, you may have to even close your eyes. But do it and see how you feel.

ok inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale ahhhh. that's a start (smile).

~peace~