Bellows Breathing
In this rigorous exercise, I push air abruptly in and out through my nose, primarily using the chest and ribcage muscles. The exercise improves my lung flexibility and strengthens my chest muscles.
The way I exercise ‘bellows’ breathing
- Breathing: exclusive through the nose.
- Position: I stand up with a straight back and close my eyes.
- Reset my breathing.
- Tilt my head backward, ensuring my windpipe is not restricted.
- Inhale rapidly through my nose, activating the chest and ribcage muscles; my arms stretch up as if I’m about to grab something over my head.
- Exhale rapidly through the nose, relaxing chest and ribcage muscles. My hands turn into fists as I pull them down forcefully toward my shoulders.
- Repeat until I get to the ‘hyperventilation sensation start’ on the tip of my tongue.
- Inhale in 3 parts and hold my breath until I reach the point of ‘air hunger start.’
Remarks
Blacksmiths use bellows for churning up a fire, which sometimes creates confusion with other ‘fire exercises.’
‘Bellows’ breathing is a rapid, continuous, and rhythmic form of breathing exercise. I combine it with intensive breathing and synchronize it with my arm movements. My abdominal muscles are mildly engaged, but my navel moves back and forth. I minimally engage my diaphragm, using mainly the ribcage.
The inhaling and exhaling durations are equal parts.
Despite intensive breathing in this exercise, it takes time before I reach the ‘hyperventilation sensation start.’ I mostly shift air up and down my ‘dead space.’ As a result, part of the inhaled air does not expose to the exchange bubbles. If I experience slight dizziness while exercising, I reduce the air volume going in and out.
Once holding my breath, I may experience slight dizziness. The breath hold offsets the excessive clearing of Carbon-diOxide.