Belly pumping
In this rigorous exercise, I first empty my lungs as much as I can and then hold my breath. I then move my abdominal muscles rapidly back and forth. The exercise improves my lung flexibility and strengthens my abdominal muscles.
How I exercise ‘pump breathing’:
Directives:
- I stand with a straight back and close my eyes.
- Reset my breathing if needed.
- Breathe using the nose initially and later the mouth.
- Inhale in 3 parts.
- Exhale, through my nose, bend forward and support myself by placing my hands on my kneecaps. Continue exhaling until my diaphragm returns to its neutral dome shape.
- Exhale further while bending forward and backward, forcefully emptying air through my mouth.
- Hold my breath while rapidly moving my stomach back and forth, using my abdominal
- Repeat until I gently reach the point of ‘air hunger start.’
I start by emptying the lungs from the top, then proceed to the middle, and lastly, the bottom. By leaning forward while placing my palms on both my kneecaps, I squeeze out part of the ‘residual volume’ at the bottom of my lungs, through my mouth. My stomach moves in the same manner as when I cough to clear my throat.