Are you breathing easy?

It is common to see people hunched over cellphones, computers, the steering wheel of a car and some doing extraordinary things like using electronic assistance such as microphones, Skype and console games. Picture: AP

It is common to see people hunched over cellphones, computers, the steering wheel of a car and some doing extraordinary things like using electronic assistance such as microphones, Skype and console games. Picture: AP

Published Mar 14, 2013

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Durban - Breathing with ease is life enhancing. “Now take a deep breath.” When did you last hear that said? Does this conjure up a rescue situation? Does it create a picture of someone supportively distracting another person from the distress they are experiencing? Or is this advice you or someone else offers when you are about to speak to a group?

If none of these scenarios relates to you, then a universal starting point is, surely, that breathing is both vital and nurturing. So let’s talk about how to take it easy and breathe.

It is common to see people hunched over cellphones, computers, the steering wheel of a car and some doing extraordinary things like using electronic assistance such as microphones, Skype and console games. All around you is evidence of how activities that require eye/hand co-ordination while sitting down can lead to interference with the breathing mechanism.

I draw your attention to this in order to say something about how to prevent this happening. What can also happen is that you reduce neck and back strain, minimise overall fatigue and allow yourself to achieve better attention and performance in a wide range of common activities of daily living.

Without giving an anatomy lesson, let’s look at some useful ways to use your skeletal frame while concentrating on separating the elements of effort that can be involved in common activities.

To control a steering wheel, use a keyboard or hold a hand-held device requires that your arms bring the hands forward to manipulate and control something that is in front of you. In addition, you might also have to focus all your attention on this for a long time. The amount of work done by the muscles and the amount of effort required is, clearly, worth some scrutiny.

Usually, to use your computer or car, you are sitting. Using devices such as cellphones or microphones allows for standing and even wandering about. However, mostly these activities encourage us to hunch forward and hunker down. This results in a significant reduction of space for the lungs to move inside the ribcage.

Here are broad suggestions for reducing unnecessary effort in hands-on activities involving devices that require visual and/or vocal focus and that concentrate tension in the upper body:

* Notice the tension you are making in your upper body that causes your rib cage to press onto your belly;

* Lessen the effort you bring to hold, push, pull or press all the way from your fingers through the length of your arms to your shoulders,

* Think of your weight supported at your feet, from your seat and up your back,

* Put some distance between you and your device so as to allow length and less effort in your hands, arms and shoulders.

How you read could be easier. Firstly, bring your breathing into your conscious attention. Then, try using the suggestions offered above for noticing undue effort and thus protecting space for improved breathing. Take it easy and breathe.

* A series of workshops (R350 each) to explore how to improve function through postural awareness will be held on the first Saturday of the month at the Breathing Space, corner Ferguson and Bulwer roads, Glenwood, from noon till 4.30pm for the next few months. These are themed Alexander Technique workshops.

The workshops are: March 2: Breath and Voice; April 6: Computers and Self-Care; May 4: Vision and Movement, June 1: Touch, Talk, Connect.

* For more information, contact Sharyn on 072 364 5130 or collect a pamphlet at the Breathing Space. - The Mercury

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