Here again, we are applying the principle of Pursed Lip Breathing.
Method
Step 1: Take a piece of paper in your hand.
Step 2: Hold the paper a little firmly, from the top, in front of your face, with your thumb on one side of the paper and the index finger on the other.
Step 3: The paper should be a foot away from your face.
Step 4: Inhale and while exhaling, use the pursed lip breathing technique, along with abdominal pull, to blow at the paper.
Step 5: Blow the paper as far away from you, as possible.
Note: Do not strain the back of the neck during the process of exhalation. Maintain the neutral position of the neck.
Frequency: This should be practiced 3-5 times per attempt and 2-3 times a day.
Benefits
For Respiratory Problem (Asthma, Bronchitis, COPD, Obstructive Sleep Apnea)
- This practice does improve ventilation of the lungs.
- The air gets trapped in the lungs in case of asthma patients. This practice helps release the trapped air.
- Longer exhalation activates parasympathetic nervous system and relaxes you.
- Longer exhalation helps empty the stale air from the lungs thereby allowing new air to enter the lungs. It also makes the inhalation, that follows, better.
Ease of Practice: Can be practiced anytime and anywhere
Contraindications
- Do not practice after a heavy meal
- Do not force inhalation & exhalation. Maintain a natural rhythm
- One diagnosed with COPD should not breathe too deeply