Breath: My Origin Story
I’m on a lifelong journey to breathe better, and I only recognized this a few years ago. My childhood nickname was/is Chili Bean. I loved having a nickname, it made me feel special, but I didn’t know how or why I had that name until my Dad explained. He said that my general body shape was like a chili bean. Huh? He elaborated on how I had skinny little arms and legs and a belly that was shaped like a bean. OK. So that made me feel a little self conscious. I know he meant no harm, but it was true, I had a little belly that poked out. Over time I sucked it in. By the time puberty hit, I was an expert at appearing as if I had no belly, and my breathing suffered. I practiced a paradoxical breath pattern for most of my life. This is where you suck in your belly as you inhale and let go of the suck a tiny little bit during the exhale. This directed my breath up into my chest, shoulders, and neck.
But wait, there’s more! I also had an accident prone childhood, where I injured my face, teeth, jaw, and neck. I had a tenuous relationship with an orthodontist who put me in a headgear to correct my bite. This gave me chronic jaw pain that would later be diagnosed as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Fast forward thirty years and I learned about the connection between my chronic jaw/neck pain and sleep apnea. By the time I pieced together all of my problems, I was on my way to jaw surgery.
I was able to avoid jaw surgery by learning functional breathing mechanics and practicing breath exercises that slowed the pace of my breathing. I have learned that breathing is a whole body movement that needs support from the pelvis and spine. Proper mechanics help me feel more fluid overall, looser in my body, and free in my breathing.
It’s hard to face the idea that you do not breathe correctly, and once you start paying attention to this, it can drive you nuts. Your mind will try to take control of your breathing and you may end up even more tense than before you knew you were a bad breather. Embodiment is the key to good breathing. When you’re able to sink into your body and feel the sensations and subtle movements of your breath from the inside out, you’re following your internal guidance system. Eventually things start to click, the breath flows, you trust the process. It is a practice, and it is influenced by the level of stress in your life, your sleep quality, and your diet, among other things. Your awareness can shift your nervous system into a calmer, more regulated state for the long term. Committing to the practice is often the hardest part. And I can tell you from experience, it is worth it. My sleep, energy, and digestion have improved. My chronic pain has decreased. My connection to my body and spirit has deepened. I hope you’ll try! Click on the resources below and explore this topic, and contact me for support! It often takes only a couple of sessions and two weeks of committed practice for things to click. You can do this!
Resources:
https://www.mrjamesnestor.com/breathing-videos
https://www.thebreathingiq.com
