Breathing techniques

     As Amaya's surgery date nears we've been trying to help calm her nerves (she's still having nightmares). My mother in law recommended that we meet with a friend of hers, Amy Wheeler. Amy is a teacher at a local university. Amy teaches, yoga, nutrition, health, and stress management. Amy agreed to come to our house today and show us some breathing techniques. Amy was kind, warm and the girls really enjoyed having her over.
      Amy suggested that Josh and I do some exercise (the kind that gets you sweating) because its a great way for the body to release stress. She reminded us that Amaya will pick up any of our stress or nerves and feed off of them. We're already aware of that, and have seen it happen in both positive and negative ways. Luckily we have a lake really close to us, that we can walk around for exercise. She said that the breathing techniques not only help with stress management, but with pain management as well. When you inhale your body activates the "fight or flight" reflex, but when you exhale your body releases.
     She taught the girls some breathing techniques. She had the girls breathe in and then exhale into a straw (that was in a bowl of water). They tried to see who could blow bubbles the longest. Amaya did great! She was able to exhale for over almost twenty seconds. Amy recommended that Amaya practice this kind of breathing three times a day (ten breaths each time). She said if you consistently work at it you can retrain your breathing, so that your body is always breathing in a calm manner. She said that this will help Amaya deal with the pain that she'll have after her surgery. Another easy exercise to try is to have the girls blow bubbles thru a bubble wand.
     Amy also taught us another technique to do at bedtime. While we massage Amaya we have her exhale slowly.  While we massage her arms, torso, and legs she exhales slowly. When we do the front and back, that adds up to ten exhales. Josh practiced on Amaya and I practiced on Lidie. It was so easy, yet effective. The best part is that it's something that can easily be added to our daily routine. I'm glad that Amy came and I look forward to seeing how these techniques will help us all deal with stress and help Amaya deal with pain.
     Amy was pleased with how the girls did, and suggested we keep up the exercises. She said that this type of breathing is level one. The next level would be to inhale and exhale thru the nose entirely.

Here's Amy with the the girls blowing bubbles into their bowl of water. 

Lidie "cheated" by inhaling more than once per exhale. Glad I caught her smiling. 

     I'll keep you posted on how we're  doing with the breathing exercises and how they benefit us, especially Amaya. Thanks again Amy for coming and sharing your knowledge with us and Elaine for arranging it all.