Dynamic stretching/Full yogic breathing...
Hello Kevin88,
You might consider dynamic stretching of the lungs as well as static stretching. Slow full 'Yogic' breathing will stretch the lower lungs, which have the most potential elasticity. The most important point to remember when breathing [and in many other things as well] is to allow the breath to happen naturally. Relax, don't force your body to breathe; your lungs and chest should feel full, not tense. At first you may feel that your lungs are not completely full, especially in the mid-to-upper region, but that's OK. Allow it to progress naturally and you will see improvement. Here are a few notes.
Assume a comfortable body posture where the spine is straight.
The Yogi's suggest that you always breathe through your nose as a general principle, but if you’re using this technique while diving or to pack-stretch, then breathing through the mouth will be more efficient and logical (this is what Pipin does).
Breathe with an even rhythm, for a count of four or five for instance: out for four, pause, in for four, and pause.
If you try to do this too fast, too soon, you will hurt something.
Here's the full 'Yogic' breath step-by-step:
1) Begin by exhaling completely: allow your lungs to empty progressively from top to bottom leaning forward slightly in the process, and pulling your diaphragm in to complete the exhalation. (Also called expiration)
2) Pause (also called extension)
3) Begin inhaling by extending the diaphragm down and out, then allowing your lungs to fill to capacity from bottom to top. If it feels natural, raise your shoulders slightly at the end to complete the inhalation. (Also called inspiration)
4) Pause (also called retention)*
Rinse and repeat!
Everything should feel like it’s ‘floating’ on the air pressure, just like floating in the ocean.
If anyone feels I have forgotten some point(s) or am in error, then please feel free to correct me; I am by no means the expert on this.
Good luck and safe diving,
Ward
* It may not be obvious, but suspending respiration (breath holding) is just one component of the breathing cycle, with accompanying physiological responses. Therefore, you may find as I have, that your breathing cycles will change in accordance with your training objectives. For example, I use different ratios in my breathing cycles to train for ‘static’s’, than I use for doing ‘static’s’; my static training isn’t the same as my static performance.
