Just Breathe! the ezine of The International Breath Institute (IBI), is sent to you from Dr. Tom Goode. IBI shows you how to be fully alive and in optimal health through lifestyle management—learning to live in alignment with your holistic nature. We provide shortcuts from science, tips for your health, and reminders about your breathing.

Content
IBI's web site focuses on Full Wave Breathing because it is the single most important exercise for your health. Use it to become fully alive--get well, be well and do well.

Healthcare
You either take care of your health or you don't. If you don't, you become a participant in what is known as "Healthcare," a system predicated upon the study of sick people and focusing on how to "fix" them. It addresses symptoms rather than causes and treats disease as an enemy to be eradicated. See the Healthcare Report Card in this month’s issue.

Self-Responsible Self Care
If illness were not your enemy, and instead was a message concerning stressors in your mind and body, how would you treat it? Likely you would cooperate with the body using principles based upon natural health. The first place you might start is with the most basic foundation of life, your breathing.

Your mind and body work pretty well until you start storing stressors in your breathing muscles. Then you become a shallow breather, creating chronic tension that wears down your immune system. Your blood becomes toxic, and lacking oxygen and energy, your body is unable to defend itself against environmental stressors. The result is disease.

Holistic Practices
The foundation of all holistic health practices is deeper, effective breathing, which affects your respiration, circulation, vitality, digestion, assimilation, and more. Breathing affects your entire system. Master your breathing and you master the ability to stimulate your healing resources.

Have high blood pressure? Use your breathing to promote the unimpeded flow of consciousness through every cell in your body. Healing takes place on all levels. Your breathing determines your physical vitality, your emotional calmness, your mental focus and your spiritual awareness. Practice Full Wave Breathing for 30 days, and see your life improve.

Today's Health Challenges
Have you seen the TV ad where the guy “got” arthritis ten years ago and now has discovered an effective pain medication? Why didn’t someone tell him to change his diet? Next they’ll come up with a pill that you take before you eat stuff that is offensive to your body and causes indigestion—or prescribe drugs for children who actually have nutritional deficiencies instead of ADD.

I just finished reading the book, When Smoke Ran Like Water by noted epidemiologist Dr. Devra Davis in which she details how our government in collusion with scientists and vested commercial interests have been hiding the poisoning of our environment for over 80 years. About all the average citizen can do is to fortify their immune system and increase their intake of antioxidant foods and supplements. Otherwise you suffer from the inevitable decline in health that is assumed to be natural and normal—including heart disease, lung disorders and cancer. These “big three” cause even more death and disability than the number one killer, traditional medical treatment. Maybe they, together, are just one thing.

The Duh Factor
A study published in Tuesday's issue ( August 8) of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that increased consumption of soft drinks and other sugary beverages over the last 40 years has significantly contributed to America's weight problem.

The story goes on to say that drinking one soda daily equates to an annual weight gain of 15 pounds. It doesn’t however tell us anything about metabolic processes or individual accommodation. Mostly, I conclude, those things with high fructose corn syrup—an inexpensive sweetener that disables the body’s “fullness” mechanism--are major contributors. I go into this matter in much more detail in my new, Fully Alive! ebook now available to you. Find out more.

Progress Is Being Made?
I see on the news that the government has approved this year’s supply of flu vaccine. How do they know which strain is coming or if the engineered substances are effective?

Doesn’t the vaccine, containing mercury and aluminum, actually depress the immune system? Isn’t the reason a state like Colorado is taking less than 2% of what it has been offered because these vaccines are costly and of questionable effectiveness?

Wouldn’t people be better off with a campaign of healthy eating increasing garlic intake and decreasing sugar, adequate rest and recovery from stress and an exercise program?

Watching Your Weight?
Obesity continues to increase with over 70% of the US population now thought to be overweight. One thing you can do is to increase your intake of fish oil. In one recent study, those taking fish oil in addition to exercising moderately lost weight even without altering their diet. The non-fish oil group failed to lose weight even with their exercise. Learn more about how to achieve and maintain your healthiest weight in the Holistic Guide to Weight Loss, Anti-aging and Fat Prevention

What To Do About the Flu
Strengthening your immune system isn’t difficult. In addition to avoiding sugar, exercising, resting sufficiently and eating garlic, you can remember to wash your hands regularly and practice Full Wave Breathing to build your resilience to stress.

Who Owns Your Body?
If you are under 18, apparently the State does based on the story of Abraham Cherrix, the teen who insists he doesn’t want chemo for the treatment of his cancer. He, and his parents, believe he should have the right to reject a treatment that causes heart damages in 28% of those treated and has a host of other poisonous side effects.

The issue is important because it could open the door for you to one day be required to receive vaccines or other conventional, unproven treatments or be incarcerated. There is already a law that says in the event of an Anthrax attack you could be jailed for refusing treatment—even if you have no symptoms! I wonder if he would be required to have this treatment if he were homeless or didn’t have insurance coverage?

Longevity
Mostly we die of old age. If we survive heart attacks and many of the emotion-based constrictions, mostly we make it now to age around 85. Then the other systems give out and the body dies. Too much pollution from everything oxidizes your insides and life ebbs away. Want to know what you can do about it? Ultimately nothing. You can, however, enjoy the rest of the ride more than you have thus far. Regardless of where you are now, you can start to feel better and heal more quickly by intelligent application of the tips your Just Breathe! ezine passes on to you every month.

On Binging
People have bragged to me that they eat well most of the week and then go off their “diet” on weekends. They say that they are just rewarding themselves for being conscientious. However, a new study indicates that eating just one meal that is high in saturated fats can undermine your health. Even one meal of a cheeseburger and fries will dramatically reduce your body’s ability to produce “good” HDL cholesterol and can lead to clogged arteries.

Product Update
For the Health Conscious Individual: A new book tells you all about the toxic effects of chemicals in your environment and food. Visit http://www.truthpublishing.com/TheHundredYearLie.html

Or to skip the sordid details and have a succinct guide about what to do, order my new Fully Alive! ebook for only $10.

Why only $10?
1. I wanted people to have access to this powerful, live-changing, life-saving information.
2. I didn’t want to wait until I had the time and budget to produce a printed copy.

Here’s the deal, order the book and put the principles into practice for 30 days. I’ll award a set of my Inner Harmony CD’s or $100 cash to the person who writes me the best letter describing their amazing results and detailing how much better they are feeling, how much more energy they are enjoying, and how their life has improved.

It Works!
Use the Cosmic Waltz to engage your hypothalamus, which regulates hormones and is part of the limbic system, which is the brain's center of emotions. The differing musical keynotes are designed to harmonize your endocrine system, improve your mood and enhance your ability to think more clearly. Employ this home study program in your life to overcome your past and embrace the future!

Expand your mindbody system’s ability to manage the growing stress with The Cosmic Waltz Inner Harmony self-paced, mystical, life-transforming musical program.

Behind The Curtain
Life at any moment can challenge us and the sense of who we are. People may annoy us, planned events may go awry, and our minds may dwell on the negative, leaving us feeling disillusioned, discouraged and disheartened.

What do we do when even our own thoughts betray us? First, know that you have the power to succeed in fulfilling our true purpose in life. Secondly, there is now a service to assist you over the humps of life without your taking the lumps.

The World Won’t Change Until We Do
Your human nature is not fixed, but can be transformed. Each of us has the power to choose the course of our destiny. Our Being is constantly unfolding. You influence how it unfolds with your life choices.

In order to design your destingy, you must first learn how to go within where your future is being created. Helping you find that place and learn to trust and rely upon it is part of my job (Joy Of Being). Now, in addition to the Consciousness Coaching Program I am offering a Spiritual Mentoring Service to Just Breathe! subscribers. Click here to see if you qualify.

Toward a Healthier Future
Each time we discover what darkens our path we can progress toward the Light. For example, let’s imagine there were a situation or circumstance that is bothering you. Become aware of how you feel about that, choosing a one-word descriptor: sad, fearful, annoyed, depressed, and so forth. Now you’d feel it that problem no longer existed in your world? Relaxed, peaceful, joyful, happy, etc.

Next take 3 Full Wave Breaths and as you hold this new feeling. Stay with the feeling for as long as you like; return to it as often as you like.

In performing this simple act you are changing your vibration and attracting the situation you desire instead of its opposite. Repeat this exercise as often as you like.

Keep breathing!
Tom

EXERCISE CORNER:

Full Wave Breathing is a natural, drug-free, and dramatically effective way to experience health, joy and aliveness that mobilizes and supports your progression toward balance and wholeness. It is a method which accelerates and complements modern healthcare and treatment practices. Use it to inspire yourself so you can inspire others!

The Single Most Important Exercise is Full Wave Breathing

There are 3 Steps, simple as A B C: Abdomen, Belly, and Chest. First, breathe into the lower abdomen and keep your focus there until you can comfortably fill and relax that area of the body. Use your muscles to expand your lower abdomen, beginning at the top or your pubic bone. Second, after filling the abdomen (A) shift your focus to your entire belly (B) or midsection, stretching and distending your diaphragm and ribs as you inhale. Relax everything as you exhale. Use your muscles to push out the lower abdomen, then expand the area just above.

Third, filling A & B, shift your focus to your chest (C) and above. Having expanded the lower portions of the body, stretch up into the chest and back. Make all of your physical movements gentle and slow. All the movement to become very subtle and gentle as you alternately inhale and exhale without pause.

You may find it more comfortable to begin with distinct movements of your body. Allow the process to become like a dance of movement from bottom to top, top to bottom. Later, allow your body to remain completely relaxed as you visualize the movement of energy through you.

Repeat often for the most dramatic results. For more detailed instruction, read below:

Step One of Full Wave Breathing

Place one hand on the abdomen below the navel and the other on the chest. As you inhale, hold the chest still; allowing the abdomen to expand as if you is filling a balloon. Stretch and extend the lower belly. Relax completely into an inhale at the point where the abdomen is distended fully and the lungs are filled. After exhaling, inhale immediately. The chest does not move at all.

Continue breathing with no pause between inhales and exhale. All of the emphasis is upon your inhale. The exhale is a release of the tension created during your inhale. So you will Inhale and relax...inhale...and relax. Continue as you read this instruction to see how simple it is to perform. Breathe through your nose or mouth as you desire. You increase oxygenation by over 50% when you breathe through your mouth because of the normal restriction in nostril breathing.

Close your eyes as you are breathing and then relax for a few minutes when you are done. Allow your breathing to normalize before continuing with your activities. You may perform this exercise while sitting at the computer, riding in the car, or even watching television. Start practicing this exercise today and you'll be pleased with your result!

To help you stay focused on your breathing, place a book or weighted bag on your lower abdomen when lying down and performing the exercise. If you are sitting, to keep your spine erect, imagine that a rope is attached to the middle of your head. The rope rises into the air. In your imagination, allow the rope to gently lift you up until your spine is erect. Sit straight, be open, and breathe.

Step Two of Full Wave Breathing

Continue breathing with no pause between inhales and exhale. Inhale and Relax...Inhale...and Relax.

Count 1 as you inhale and expand your lower abdomen in Step One. Count 2 as you lengthen your inhale and push out the middle of your torso at the solar plexus. Release tension and allow the body to exhale and repeat. Perform this exercise anytime to relax. Do not perform connected breathing when driving or operating machinery.

When lying down, place a pillow under your knees, not under your neck. When sitting, allow yourself to stretch and open your spine as you sit and breathe.

Close your eyes as you breathe and then relax for a few minutes when you are done. Allow your breathing to normalize and return to your tasks.

Step Three of Full Wave Breathing

Continue breathing with no pause between inhales and exhale. Inhale and relax...Inhale...and relax.

Count 1 as you inhale and push out your lower abdomen. Count 2 as you raise the breath and energetic focus to your solar plexus. Count 3 as you move your breath and muscular focus up into your chest, stretching your intercostal muscles, shoulders and back of the neck. Relax completely when you exhale, allowing the muscles to soften. There is no effort or tension involved in your exhale.

Close your eyes as you breathe and then relax for a few minutes when you are done. Allow your breathing to normalize before continuing with your activities. Perform this exercise anytime you are sitting passively to provide a quick and effective energy boost and relaxation.

Keep your spine straight if sitting and allow to your body to move as you breathe and relax. Feel the wave of inhale as air enters your body and the wave of exhale as it leaves. Increase the volume of air and pace of breathing and feel how it affects your experience.

Since resolving stress at the cellular level is below our awareness, there are times when the breathing is accompanied by laughing or crying as old chemistry breaks up. Simply keep breathing! Allow your body any movement that arises and remember to relax fully when you exhale, softening all your muscles. Continue breathing at your own pace, deeply and fully.

Maintain your own pace and be willing to experiment. Your pace will normally change from day to day and during a session of Full Wave Breathing. Playing music as you breathe helps keep you focused in a gentle rhythm. The Cosmic Waltz, offered by Inspired Living, is the best I know of for this purpose. It focuses on the heart center and expands relaxation throughout the body.

All material in this ezine is presented as information only and should not be constructed as medical advice or instruction. Readers should consult with appropriate licensed health care providers on any matter relating to their health. The information provided is believed to be accurate and based on the best judgment of the author. None of the statements in this ezine have been approved by the FDA.

"How things look on the outside of us depends on how things are on the inside of us."