Helpful Breathing Exercises

Years ago, after a fall down the flight of stairs in my home, I was transported by an ambulance, to a hospital. At the start of the trip, I told the attendant I felt faint and nauseous. He said, "I'd like for you to try some breathing exercises. They will help you." I said, "I'll try."

The Medic said, "First, I'd like for you to become conscious of your breathing. As you breathe in, listen to your breath. and as your breath leaves your body, continue to listen to it. Now, as you breathe, count your breaths, in and out." "As we focus on a specific task," the attendant told me, "we become less conscious of any other feeling."

The attendant gave me a second exercise to use, also. He said, "Exhale as much breath as you can. Feel the breath go from your lungs, and then, from your stomach. Next, breathe in air to fill all of the cavities you have emptied. With your lungs emptied, you will be able to take in more air, and your body will benefit."

Soon I was in the hospital. There, I was examined by a doctor, and then was under a nurse's watchful eye for a time. I may have been in shock. A number of hours later, my blood pressure had become normal. I seemed over the shock of the fall. The doctor told me that other than possible bruising, I apparently had suffered no injury. I was released from the hospital.

P.S. Later, as I thought back about my fall, I was surprised that after sliding down the stairs on my back, almost in a dream, I stood up, went to the kitchen, turned off the stove, took the smoking pan outdoors, and called my neighbor. She, and soon, my daughter, found the help I needed.

Early morning help
A longtime family friend, who had come to the hospital to be with me and my daughter, invited me to come to her home for the rest of the night. At my friend's home, it felt good to lie flat in bed. Although my body ached, I was able to go to sleep .
Nearer morning, I woke. I felt nauseous again, and in pain. I didn’t want to wake my friend, but I felt anxious and wondered what to do. Then I remembered the breathing exercises and decided to try doing those. .

I began the breathing exercise. After I had taken two breaths, "breathing in and breathing out", a suggestion "came" to my mind to add words to the exercise. I felt "guided" to say, " "Breathe in faith, breathe out fear", "breathe in love; breathe out hate" "breathe in trust, breathe out doubt."

After a number of breath prayers I apparently fell asleep and did not wake again until the sun was shining in on me. I was glad I had learned the breathing exercises. They would be helpful for any time of unease.
It seems remarkable that, other than soreness, my body, made no other complants after its fast descent down my stairs.
marylee manson armour
Revisited on May 7,2006 shortened and tidied up a little.