What a GREAT thread! Thanks Christine for starting this!! Breathwork is essential to me in my quit because I literally had to first retrain myself how to breath, after not breathing well OR the right way for twenty something years, and the breathing is really a must...it's also part of my daily routine (when I remember to do it LOL). And bellies...I am turning into the laughing Buddha!! :blush: You rock Coben!! And OMG look at your meter-you are almost at the beach!!!! woohoo!! All you guys are looking awesome with your stats, you ARE doing it!! Stay strong and breathe deep Many Blessings, Eve [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 4/8/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 79 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 639 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $237 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 6 [B]Hrs:[/B] 17 [B]Mins:[/B] 24 [B]Seconds:[/B] 58

PinkTexas - A Special Bumpity Bump Bump for you - [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 183 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,121 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $640.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 16 [B]Hrs:[/B] 23 [B]Mins:[/B] 45 [B]Seconds:[/B] 20

Bumpin ~ for Grace [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 141 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,406 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $493.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 13 [B]Hrs:[/B] 2 [B]Mins:[/B] 15 [B]Seconds:[/B] 3

And so should you! Here's some great facts and relaxing tips friends ~ [i]Slow, deep breathing gets rid of carbon dioxide waste and takes plenty of clean, fresh oxygen to your brain and muscles. More blood cells get the new, oxygen-rich air instead of the same old stale stuff. Experts estimate that proper breathing helps your body eliminate toxins 15 times faster than poor, shallow breathing. You'll not only be healthier, but you'll be able to perform better (mentally and physically) and, of course, be less stressed and more relaxed.[/i] Here's How: [i]Get Ready (2 minutes) Make the room dark, or at least darker. Lie down flat on your back, or sit against a wall. Use a pillow for comfort. Make sure no part of your body is strained or supporting weight. Close your eyes. Just pay attention to your breathing for a minute or two. Don't try to change it, just notice how it feels. Imagine the fresh blood flowing through your body. Listen to your surroundings. [/i] [i]Stage I (2 minutes) Practice breathing in and out of your nose. Exhaling through the mouth is okay for quick relaxation, but for normal breathing, in and out the nose is best. Take long breaths, not deep breaths. Try not to force it, you shouldn't hear your breath coming in or out. You're drawing slow breaths, not gulping it or blowing it out. Feel the rhythm of your breathing[/i] [i]Stage II (3 minutes) Good breathing is done through the lower torso, rather than the upper torso. Each breath should expand your belly, your lower back and ribs. Relax your shoulders and try not to breathe with your chest. Put your hands on your stomach and feel them rise and fall. If it's not working, push down gently with your hands for a few breaths and let go. Your stomach should start to move more freely. Relax your face, your neck, your cheeks, your jaw, your temples, even your tongue. [/i] [i]Stage III (3 minutes) Feel the good air entering your lungs and feel the stale air leaving your body. "In with the good, out with the bad" is definitely true here. Make your exhale as long as your inhale to make sure all the bad air is gone. Remember, long slow breaths. Most people take 12-16 breaths per minute. Ideally, it should be 8-10. Now try to make your exhale a little longer than your inhale for a whil

Bumping for Elaine - it will help... [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 93 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,590 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $325.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 15 [B]Mins:[/B] 44 [B]Seconds:[/B] 11

Mookie, Sullydog, So glad it helped out - look at you both with your 24 days, RIGHT ON!!!!! I always use my breathing to get through stressful times - and I don't have to worry about my belly being expanded for breathing--- It's Out There Alright! :8o: LOL CobenFan [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 3/25/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 93 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,596 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $325.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 8 [B]Hrs:[/B] 16 [B]Mins:[/B] 31 [B]Seconds:[/B] 50

This is very helpful so I bump it for the new quitters :) [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/22/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 234 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 3,523 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $1053 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 27 [B]Hrs:[/B] 9 [B]Mins:[/B] 56 [B]Seconds:[/B] 55

Cobenfan, Thank you for this post, I bumped it today because I think this is exactly what a lot of us need today! [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/22/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 173 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,603 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $778.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 13 [B]Seconds:[/B] 19

Thanks CobenFan for the reminder of something I need to do everyday. We need to keep on bumping this! Island Girl [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/21/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 173 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 1,735 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $346 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 20 [B]Hrs:[/B] 6 [B]Mins:[/B] 4 [B]Seconds:[/B] 44

Coben Thank you for this thread. I saw this, this am and I can only read in the mornings, and I had to thank you. This post sat in my conscious all day and really helped me through as I really used this post and brought my breath to a conscious level. Thank you! Wonderful, you Coben are wonderful and I so appreciate your care. Phillip [B]My Milage:[/B] [B]My Quit Date: [/B] 2/17/2006 [B]Smoke-Free Days:[/B] 129 [B]Cigarettes Not Smoked:[/B] 2,599 [B]Amount Saved:[/B] $967.5 [B]Life Gained:[/B] [B]Days:[/B] 21 [B]Hrs:[/B] 4 [B]Mins:[/B] 19 [B]Seconds:[/B] 37