Lesson 2: Becoming Fit Through Breathing

Follow the instructions carefully and you will become more fit.

The more fit you become, the more you can do before resorting to chest breathing. For example, a well trained athlete (the future you) can run for hours while breathing gently in and out of his belly. When he has to turn it up a notch and sprint up a hill, he will temporarily shift into chest breathing, and then return to belly breathing when returning to flat ground.

An unfit person might start chest breathing after only climbing a few steps. Or worse, many people are chest breathing constantly.

Starting today you are going to start the process of getting so good at belly breathing that it is maintained practically the whole day. (There will always be short sprints up a hill requiring chest breathing).

Exercise 2: Sitting Belly Breathing

Sit in a comfortable position. It is ok to slump. A recliner is perfect, but any chair will do.

Now, try to belly breathe. The key while sitting is this: As you blow air out of your mouth bring your belly in, as if you are trying to make your stomach flat.

Practice for a minute or so to be sure you can do it reasonably well. Be sure not to elevate your chest at all. Inhaling should require very little effort, and exhaling should require the muscles in the front of your belly to pull in.

If you can do this, you can immediately begin training with the FRTD as described in lesson 3. If you cannot abdominal breathe yet, practice for a while until you get it. You might even want to review lesson 1.