Inhale. Exhale.

by Jeff Wooten

Do you remember that movie called, ‘Waiting to Exhale’? You know, the concept is one of holding your breath until some life-changing event happens, right? We are all familiar with this concept.

Whenever I hear that phrase, or hear someone say, ‘Well, don’t hold your breath (until some unlikely event happens)’, it reminds me of a game that I play with my kids from time to time. It is called ‘How long can you hold your breath’. We usually play this game when we are in a swimming pool, to see how long we can stay under water. I’m sure you’ve played this game a time or two. It is lots of fun, and it develops your stamina.

Now, let me introduce you to another game that I play. It is called, ‘How long can you take to inhale and exhale?’ This game is great because it trains you to control your breath, the way I teach in my Dynamic Power Breathing course. It develops your muscles of respiration, develops your stamina, increases your lung capacity, and increases your patience.

Of particular concern to asthmatics is that this type of practice teaches you how to control an asthma attack if it happens. For those of you that have already gone through the Dynamic Power Breathing course, you are aware that my daughter, Serena, has asthma like I do. I therefore have her practice this technique on a regular basis.

So, here’s how you play this game. First, exhale as completely as possible. Then, take as long as you can to perform a steady inhale. Then take as long as you can to exhale completely. Wow, that is serious breathing work!

My personal best so far is to take 90 seconds to do a complete inhale and exhale. Practice this technique, and I’m sure you can eclipse my record. I plan to!

Jeff Wooten, president of The Body Mechanic™, is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMBT #4626), Certified Fitness Trainer and Certified Specialist in Martial Arts Conditioning. Wooten has extensive martial arts, power yoga and Brazilian jujitsu training and is certified by The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). He incorporates the healing effects of massage into his classes, teaching group fitness, martial arts, health and fitness, and meeting with clients in their homes for personal training sessions.

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