Lung exercises

I have been working on an upcoming episode of the Ups and Downs of Insulin Resistance. 

A couple of weeks back, I read a Korean study, talking about how lung function is, yet another casualty of metabolic syndrome.  And more significantly, how doing respiratory training can improve things.

EVERYTHING not just lung capacity.

Problem is, respiratory training equipment, is rather pricey. 

So although it might be an option for some, for many, it wouldn't be.

Gave the matter a huge amount of thought...........and tada

BLOWING BALLOONS

A cheap alternative.  Enthused by my own great idea,  I bought myself a packet of balloons and then persuaded Mom, to do a little respiratory training.

She obliged.

Not too shabby for an 87 year old lady.

PS.  This is actually not the optimal way to do it.  Blowing it up, from a standing position, allows you to rope in a whole bunch of "other" muscles.  Here are instructions, for a exercise, that specifically works the "breathing" muscles. It really works, I did it a couple of times and woke up..........soar.  Seriously, lying on the fall, blowing a balloon, gave my respiratory muscles a WORKOUT ! 

Everyone should know this !

Instructions for Performance of the 90/90 Bridge with Ball and Balloon:
1. Lie on your back with your feet fl at on a wall and knees and hips bent at a 90-degree angle.
2. Place a 4-6 inch ball/pillow/yoga block between your knees.
3. Place your right arm above your head and a balloon in your left hand.
4. Inhale through your nose and as you exhale through your mouth, perform a pelvic tilt so that your tailbone is raised slightly
off the mat. Keep low back flat on the mat. Do not press your feet into the wall, instead pull down with your heels.
5. You should feel the back of your thighs and inner thighs engage, keeping pressure on the ball. Maintain this position for the
remainder of the exercise.
6. Now inhale through your nose and slowly blow out into the balloon.
7. Pause three seconds with your tongue positioned on the roof of your mouth to prevent airflow out of the balloon.
8. Without pinching the neck of the balloon and keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth, inhale again through your nose.
9. Slowly blow out as you stabilize the balloon with your left hand.
10. Do not strain your neck or cheeks as you blow.
11. After the fourth breath in, pinch the balloon neck and remove it from your mouth. Let the air out of the balloon.
12. Relax and repeat the sequence 4 more times.