“Why are you so enchanted by this world when a mine of gold lies within you ?” Rumi
Yes that’s a piece of tape on my mouth. Why you ask? Because I’m exploring how much of a mouth breather I am and how I can work to enhance my body (life) with something I do 22 thousand times per day .... breathe.
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It’s been 3 full years since I broke up with my traditional yoga practice and began going down different rabbit holes of knowledge and education. One of the most significant and best investments I made in myself was to study with Jill Miller and her outstanding team of educators at Tune Up Fitness. Everything I thought I knew about bodywork, movement and healing has shifted and expanded. Hence this is why I am here today with a piece of tape stuck to the outer corner of my mouth. I am super curious and constantly need to know the why behind so many things that occur in the body.
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I’m currently reading Patrick McKeown’s book “The Oxygen Advantage“. The primary premise of this book is to cultivate a habit of mostly nasal breathing for better health, metabolism and cardiovascular endurance. The book actually brings me full circle back to classical Yoga in that the yogic traditions have traditionally educated practitioners on ways to overcome mouth breathing. WIth the tape I am trying to discern for myself how much I rely on mouth breathing via sighing, yawning, and gulping air when I talk and eat and go about my day. I’m new to this level of awareness only just in the last month so I am still exploring the methods.
I can share today in my practice that driving in my car triggers me to mouth-breathe more than anything else. While I can't cite any studies I know from my own movement practice that the pelvic floor and the diaphragm need optimal positioning for a full excursion of all the breathing mechanics to work properly. With my pelvis tucked in my car seat that natural postural set up is inhibited.
The book's author cites plenty of scientific studies to support his views. I am most excited to just experience the practices and see for myself how these make me feel and live in my own skin. I promise I don’t wear the tape out in public ❤️ and I I have not worn it to sleep yet but I plan on it soon!
xx DD