Exercises

27 January 2017

The more I read about VCD, the more I realise I really need to get my head around improving my breathing techniques.  Below is a link to an article from the Yoga Journal website.  

One of the fundamental principles of yoga is incorporating  breathing techniques with the movements.  This all helps to reduce stress and bring a sense of relaxation.  Yoga has a calming effect which I believe may be beneficial for those of us with VCD.  An exacerbation of symptoms can cause acute anxiety and stress, so it makes sense to learn methods of relaxation.  

Follow the link below and scroll down to the section "Basic Breath Awareness".  Then below this are three breathing techniques which explains what are the benefits of each method, when to try it and how to perform each of them.  What I will note here, is that my Speech Pathologist has greatly discouraged me from doing any open mouth breathing techniques.  However, personally, I found the method where you breathe through your curled tongue, combined with the rhythmic movement of my chin up and down, to be almost hypnotic, providing me with (almost) a sense of euphoria.  If however you feel any open mouth breathing to irritate your throat/vocal cords, then by all means use an alternate breathing technique.   

http://www.yogajournal.com/article/practice-section/healing-breath/

20 January 2017

Below is the link for the "4-7-8 Breathing Technique".  I first saw this demonstrated by Dr Mercola (found on YouTube).  This clip is fairly short and straight to the point (under six minutes).  Dr Andrew Weil explains you through the process and demonstrates how easy this technique is.

I have been using this breathing technique, not just during episodes of VCD, but I also find it helps to calm me during stressful situations.  I hope you get benefit from this as well.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRPh_GaiL8s


13 January 2017

This short clip (see link below) is by Kristina Johnson.  Her way of explaining both the exercise, which she demonstrates, as well as the reason for this technique, is excellent.  I hope you get as much benefit from this, as I have.

https://youtu.be/p4qy_CXXfKY