I am trying a new format this week. I’m calling it “The Breathing 4.1.1.”
Below, I share 4 thoughts, 1 quote, and 1 answer (think “Jeopardy”). Enjoy!
4 THOUGHTS
1. Expert Q&A on Sleep Tape
James Nestor’s first "expert Q&A" episode has been released. It’s on sleep tape with Dr. Mark Burhenne. I especially appreciated Dr. Burhenne’s confidence in recommending that people wear mouth tape. Watch Interview Here.
2. An Easy Hack for Dropping SpO2 during Breath Holds
I’m always playing around with my breath holds. Lately, I’ve been performing a full exhale before each hold.
Normal Breath In —> Fast and Complete Exhale Out —> Hold
I’ve seen additional SpO2 drops of 5-10% (!). My breath holds are not as long, but I’m getting into intermittent hypoxia easier. I really try to empty my lungs as much as possible to get more significant drops in SpO2.
3. Is Tissue Hypoxia Really the Problem?
“In this, chronic overbreathing will not create ‘hypoxia’ in tissues; this is a fact that many Buteyko adherents consistently get wrong. The real damage from overbreathing comes from the constant energy the body has to expend to run more cells anaerobically and to constantly buffer for carbon dioxide deficiencies.” - James Nestor, Breath
I talk about tissue hypoxia a lot. Here, James says that it’s not necessarily tissue hypoxia that’s the problem, but the body’s response to prevent it from happening that causes the damage. In any case, the underlying issue is the same: We need to get an adequate supply of oxygen for our cells to function correctly.
4. A Simple Way the Breathe Light
Teaching people to breathe "light" is often tricky. However, in Restoring Prana, Robin Rothenberg provides one of the most practical ways I’ve heard: Imagine taking up less space with each breath. I imagine less air being pulled into my nose with each inhale, and each exhale disturbing less air around me. Give it a shot.
1 QUOTE
“He who tastes a grain of mustard seed knows more of its flavor than he who sees an elephant load of it.” - Yogi Mamacharaka, Science of Breath
1 ANSWER
Answer: The amount of water used to humidify the air we breathe each day.
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(Cue the Jeopardy music.)
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Question: What is 1 pint? [1]
In good breath,
Nick
[1] Essentials of Pathophysiology (3rd Edition), Carol Mattson Porth