Breathing is a communication skill.

Breathing is a communication skill. 

Breathing is a communication skill. Awareness of breath and knowing what affect it has on our lives is a priority.

Have you ever noticed that you were unconsciously holding your breath? Or, that your breathing was really shallow?

We often find ourselves holding our breath when we are concentrating on a task, or first learning something, or when we are unsure about our security, such as how to navigate a potentially dangerous situation. You may find yourself holding your breath while you are simply threading a needle. Or, how about while you are first coordinating your muscles using the body mechanics of PetMassageTM. Or, how about while bracing for the impact of a car that is not slowing down as you watch it in your rear view mirror.

We hold our breath intuitively when we are in pain, injured, shocked, surprised, or distressed. It is part of our “fight or flee” programming.

There is a graduated range for the levels of breathing. At one end is “none,” which we just described; at the other end is deep and full. Each of the levels sends a set of messages.

Shallow breathing, for example, is breathing from the upper chest. It signals apprehension, fear, timidity, and not being fully present. Shallow breathing sends the signal that you are hiding from something. If you stay small, quiet and still you can remain unnoticed. Your breathing makes only the very slightest of movements. Your air intake is minimal. The warm breath expressed through your mouth and nose is also scant. Some might suggest that shallow breathing indicates that you may not feel worthy enough or value yourself enough to partake in the air and space around you.

When breathing is “belly breathing,” also described as deep or diaphragmatic, it is a large motion. Belly breathing occurs naturally in babies. When babies are laid on their backs, their little bellies –not their chests– rise and fall with each breath. Belly, breathing, is the controlled breathing that is developed intentionally in the practices of yoga, martial arts and meditation. Why? Because belly breathing is good for you.

With belly breathing, the whole body moves into balance. The whole body enjoys the full flow of freshly oxygenated blood. Fully engaged belly muscles expand and contract your ribcage, stimulating your lungs and heart within. Your diaphragm, pushing down and pulling up with each inhale and exhale, massages your organs and tissues in your abdomen and, the organs and tissues in your thoracic cavity. Your internal organs get what they need; as do your extremities, hands and fingers, feet and toes. Your hair and skin on the surface of your body get their required nutrition through increased blood circulation. On the “extreme” surface, your etheric body gets recharged; the effect of which is seen in the vibrant colors emanating from your chakras. It is very possible that it is our uniquely individual set of color patterns that our dogs recognize even more than our specific visual characteristics. That’s how a dog with relatively poor eyesight can recognize someone upwind, from a hundred yards away!

Whenever your breathing stops or diminishes, you are telling your dog that you are somehow incapacitated. You are in pain, injured, in shock, surprised, distressed, unfocused, or unsure of yourself. When your dog picks up on your signal that something is wrong, he reacts intuitively. It’s the “chase reflex.” Your dog’s chase reflex yanks him out of his tranquil and nurturing PetMassageTM mode into your world of fear, and scarcity (of air).

Shallow breathing is not healthy. It provides just enough sustenance to keep the main organs in your body functioning. Your extremities, hands and fingers, feet and toes, do not have as much access to the blood they need. What does this mean? Your hands and fingers will be cooler and less able to palpate and respond to the dog. Your feet and toes will have less circulation so you’ll be less grounded; more disconnected from the earth chi. Your shallow breathing is redirecting your dog’s focus away from his PetMassageTM and onto you and your needs.

With belly breathing, body stress and mental stress are reduced. The tightness and tenseness that the stress created is reduced as well. With less overall stress, the body doesn’t have to work as hard so the heart rate slows. Remember, the one with the slowest heart rate is the pack leader.

Breathing, we see, provides important social cues for our dogs. The quality of your breath lets dogs know if you are the one who has what it takes to be the leader, the one who can confidently lead them to food, safety and rest. That would be the belly breather. The shallow or non-breather is too preoccupied to be trusted with the security of the pack, so they’d be a follower.

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Intentional conscious breathing creates more than a colorful aura, although that in itself is pretty amazing. Your breath shows your depth of your commitment, your experience, your confidence, your physical wellness quotient, your mood, and your emotional balance/steadiness. These are the qualities your dog looks for as a resource during his PetMassageTM.

Belly breathing is the breath you must bring to the PetMassageTM table.

The belly breathing signal goes out to the dogs, of course. It also goes out to the rest of your body, letting each of your trillions of neurotransmitters know that all systems are “go.” Everything is functioning correctly and you are eminently vital. When the signal you are sending is one of strength, robust health, and confidence, the rest of your body, mind, and spirit follow the leader.

Your intentional belly breathing can convince your body and everyone around it to know you are what you are claiming you are. So, even if you are not perfectly perfect, even if you are unsure about the situation; even if you are in discomfort; even if you think you are not prepared enough, or old enough, or strong enough, or whatever enough, continue to breathe. Breathe from the belly. Tap the solar energy of your solar plexus. And, breathe it like you mean it.

♫ Who’s the leader of the pack that’s made for dogs and me?
P-E-T M-A S S A-G-E. ♫
♫ PetMassage…PetMassage …Forever let us hold our banner high, high, high!
Come along and sing the song and set the puppies free.
P-E-T M-A S S A-G-E. ♫

1 Comment

  1. 3overrated on January 12, 2022 at 4:54 PM

    1cumbrous

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