The Trouble with Belly Breathing

If you've ever attended a yoga class, you've likely heard the term "belly breathing", and have probably learned how to do it yourself. It's often referred to as the best way to breathe, and is taught as a method to avoid shallow breathing. For those who tend to breathe up high in their chests with a short, shallow breath, belly breathing is a great tool for increasing oxygen intake and allowing the diaphragm to get more involved. However, belly breathing can cause trouble just like shallow chest breathing can.

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Finding My Way to Refreshed

2017 has been a challenging year, and I am not alone in that experience. I'm not going to go into my own story here, but personally it's been a tough one for numerous reasons. Recently, after a particularly overwhelming day, a friend wished me a refreshing rest, and it occurred to me that the last time I had truly felt refreshed was in very distant memory. Functional, yes. Refreshed, no.

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Balance and Your Nervous System

This month, I've had the wonderful opportunity to help run a class taught by fellow Feldenkrais practitioner Becci Parsons on improving balance for people with peripheral neuropathy. This means that because of nerve impingement or nerve damage, they can't feel their feet to one degree or another. It's a very scary condition - imagine going through your day, unable to tell without looking where your feet are under you.

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