Need to learn how to breathe.....

[Val]

I know this sounds crazy, but I need to learn how to breathe (properly that is). I tend to breathe through my mouth, which makes me feel like I'm breathing twice as fast as I should. I've always had sinus problems, so I guess I just switched to mouth breathing without realizing it. I always thought that I breathed through my mouth because my nose is blocked but I recently read on yogajournal.com that mouth breathing can be the cause of my blocked nose! So, if mouth breathing may be causing my nose to be blocked and I want to un-block my nose so I can properly breath throught it, I need to re-train myself to nose breathe but I can't seem to get the knack of it. I've tried practicing abdominal breathing and it works for a while, but then I guess I just automatically go back to mouth breathing when I'm not focusing on it. Hope this makes sense to you all! Anyway, hoping someone might have some information on how to learn deep breathing and proper nose breathing techniques so that I will breath properly through my nose once and for all! P.S. I am very tired all of the time and I have a feeling that all of this mouth-breathing is contributing to my fatigue?? Also, heard about actually taping my mouth shut while sleeping, to retrain my body to be forced to breathe through my nose! Any validity to this?? I welcome all input on this topic!! Thank you.

[lucky_rainboq]

Val, are you trying to change your breathing so you inhale with your nose but exhale with your mouth? I think that taking some time aside just for yourself to focus on your breath would be the best way to achieve this. Just lay down or sit, whichever is most comfortable, and just let your thoughts flow and don't focus on them. Don't judge your thoughts, but each time they come, let them float away and bring your attention back to your breath. If you do this for a week or so, I am sure your breathing issues will improve!

My favourite books about meditation and breathing are Jon Kabat- Zinn's. He founded a stress reduction clinic in a hospital where people learn to meditate to heal their illnesses and overcome pain. If you can get them on cd from your library, do it! I have "Coming to Our Senses" on cd and he just has the most relaxing voice. On the third cd, he leads you through really simple meditations and it's really easy to follow.

[Jeszna]

Originally Posted by Val

Anyway, hoping someone might have some information on how to learn deep breathing and proper nose breathing techniques so that I will breath properly through my nose once and for all!

Try maybe duct-taping your mouth shut when you are on the computer or watching tv, or sleeping, and then for the sake of survival you will need to breathe through your nose