Learning to Breathe

Another hour of yoga for me today.
I know that I'm going to feel stronger because of it.

One of my challenges is knowing when to breathe. The first time I took yoga classes (eight years ago) the instructor would hear me squeak from the other side of the room. He knew I wasn't breathing. Over time regular class members would hear me squeak - and know that the instructor's gentle reminder, "Breathe T." was coming next. They came to expect it. So much for Namaste!

I was concentrating so hard on the pose and the stretch that I ended up holding my breath. Wrong thing to do.

Now that I'm back in yoga I'm listening carefully to the instructors. The three instructors I've experienced so far are very good about breath reminders. They tell us when to inhale, when to exhale. That's very helpful for a T like me!

I've noticed that when they remind us to take deep breaths, and then exhale - I'm ready to exhale before everyone else is done with their deep breaths. In fact, I take two inhalations/exhalations in the time everyone else takes one.

You might think that I just can't relax. That's partially true.

But this is another revelation for me as I learn about my lung capacity.

In the past 7 years, my allergy doctor and I have determined that one of the causes for anaphylaxis and hives - for me - is exercise related. We've figured out that I get hives when my muscles are sore.
You know the soreness you get when you lift weights and build lactic acid? The production of lactic acid is actually an indicator that you're building muscle. It's a good sign. For most people.

But my body doesn't like my lactic acid. When I produce significant amounts of lactic acid, I get hives. (That's why yoga is a good gentle start for me - it builds muscle s l o w l y)
Once I learned that lactic acid was a culprit for me - I learned that a person's body produces more lactic acid when it's not getting enough oxygen.
Hello Sherlock?

I think we've isolated some important information. I have to work really hard at just breathing.

Although this is an unusual condition, I'm posting this information in hope that it might be helpful to someone else with a similar problem - but doesn't have my brilliant doctor to figure it out for them.

TRS Accountability: one hour yoga