Exercise and second wind
from The Blue Mountains Gazette
According to the Taber's Medical Dictionary second wind is a "condition occurring during strenuous exercise in which the feeling of subjective breathlessness subsides". But what if you are asthmatic? asks Jennifer Harris of Buteyko Breathe Easy. "Non asthmatic exercisers who are pushing their respiratory fitness beyond the capabilities of their current breathing technique often experience a point at which the physical activity itself engenders enough carbon dioxide that the appropriate amount of oxygen is delivered to all the cells of the body by what is known as the Bhor Effect.
"This effect brings respiratory comfort enough to keep exercising. Exercise is vital to general well being. Respiratory conditions are on the increase largely due to the lack of exercise," continued Jennifer.
"It is therefore important for asthmatics to find a level of regular activity or exercise that matches their ability to maintain symptom free breathing. Asthmatics who have not done a breathing retraining course and do not have an efficient prevention program from their doctor are putting their health at risk by undertaking any exercise or activity for which they need a bronchodilator. In fact if you need to take a dilator while you are exercising you should make sure that you are totally recovered from any symptoms of asthma before even thinking of getting back into action at that time.
"For anyone to get optimal benefit from exercise it is important to breathe through the nose — in and out, and to go only as fast as nasal breathing will let you. For an asthmatic, it is vital to breathe exclusively through the nose as mouth breathing is hyperventilation which leads to an asthma attack. I have worked with many competition ranking athletes to retrain their breathing so that they no longer need medication to train."
For information on breathing and Pilates contact Jennifer on 0414 833-857 or by email at breatheasy@pnc.com.au or visit her website www.pnc.com.au/~breatheasy