Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing

267 Pages·2005·7.6 MB·English

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Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing
© Michael Grant White - July 2005 - all rights reserved
3
DISCLAIMER

Nothing in this book is intended to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any ailment, nor is it intended in
any way as a replacement for medical consultation when needed. At the first suspicion of any
disease or disorder please consult a licensed primary health care professional.
Bring this manual with you.

COPYRIGHT July 2005, Michael Grant White.

All rights reserved. No part of this writing may be copied or reproduced or utilized in any form or
by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information
storage and retrieval system without written permission in writing from the author. Michael Grant
White - Box 1551, Waynesville, NC 28786

ISBN 1883417-40-6

CALL ME.

Congratulations on your choice. This manual is an ongoing study that will probably never end. I am
updating it once or twice yearly. The date at the bottom of the page is the latest version. You are
encouraged to obtain another in six months to a year. Owning this version qualifies you to updates.
The cost will be much less for the updates. The A-Z Programs section updates will be FREE on
the web site.

Now that you have the manual and after you have read it AT LEAST TWICE you are welcome to
call me at 866 My Inhale with any questions.

DEDICATION

When fear or confusion would challenge me or cause me to “lose my breath”, there were those who
appeared in my life and guided me in ways that kept the “wind beneath my wings.”

I gratefully acknowledge:

Reverends Shari Culliver and Max Lafser, Lynda Brockmann, Dr. Alexander Lowen, Margaret
Leong, Gary Hagman, Nicolai Massenkoff, Faith Winthrop, Stanley Keleman, Dr. Gerald Frank,
John Bradshaw, Dr. Kathlyn Hendricks, Tartang Tulku, Swami Chetanananda, Jocelyn Olivier,
Pamela Reynolds, Stanley White, Pearl White, Dr. David Miller, Serena Dossenko, Michael Mayer,
Senior Pastor Kirk Bowman, and Dr. Len Saputo.

Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing
© Michael Grant White - July 2005 - all rights reserved
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Fond appreciation to Brenda Hortobagyi for being the model for most of the pictures. Her genuine
warmth, inner strength and sense of ease are a constant inspiration to me.

Deepest thanks to Theo S., my fifth grade school teacher in Long Beach California. Hardly a week
goes by that I do not thank the Lord for her kindness, insight and sensitivity.

The deepest, easiest BREATHING REFLEX is something NO-ONE should live without
experiencing, again and again, day in and day out, moment to moment. Thank you Carola Speads,
Margaret Leong and Carl Stough for leading me to such a wonderful experience. Thank you Dennis
Lewis and Ilsa Middendorf for expanding my awareness of more sensing and kinesthetic feedback
of one’s breathing experience.

My audios, visuals, booklets, nutritional/cleansing, exercise, ergonomic products and videos add
important directions and insights to every aspect of this manual.

QUOTES AND SIDEBARS

In the foundation of our inner strength and awareness, insights are direct links to the depths of our
understanding. What follows will give one more familiarity with the relationship of the breath and
breathing to life and living. Hold these thoughts in your hearts and minds and borrow some for
side-bars in your books, themes for articles and talks about the breath and life.

Incorporate them as did Gay Hendricks in his Conscious Breathing book. Acknowledge them as
being first read in this book. Credit other appropriate author and publications. Help the world of
“breathers” join together and be heard as one voice.

Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing
© Michael Grant White - July 2005 - all rights reserved
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READING and COMPREHENDING THE CONTENT

This manual is in many ways not organized as you might have expected. If I had a spiritual agenda
it would be easy but there is often dogma in spiritual agenda and I did not want any restrictions or
bias in the way we open our minds to more direct ways of looking at the breath and breathing.
Certainly breathng is a spiritual act. But this manual is not about spirit, it is about breathing. The
subject of breathing is HUGE. I am approaching it for the sake of breathing. Nothing else. This
often forces me as well as my readers to go outside the box of a predictable ways of thinking about
breathing. If you read the entire manual TWICE you should start to get intuitively what I am trying
to say. The many contexts that you come across will hopefully open your mindset to a simpler,
more direct way of looking at breathing. It will begin to give you a new vocabulry for breathing. If
you want to read some good non dogmatic spiritual oriented breathwork then I highly recommend
The Art of Breathing by Frederick Leboyer, anything written by Dan Btrule, or .

Outline that which catches your attention. Then focus on any relevant programs in the PROGRAM
THEMES A-Z section.

Health professionals and care givers are encouraged to attend our school to learn better how each
facet of breathing development is related to their specific population and to all populations.

THE BEGINNING
MY PATH TOWARD OPTIMAL BREATHING

Many years ago I was swimming with the sharks as a commercial real estate broker. I did very well but I also
pulled a lot of metaphoric shark’s teeth out of my backside. The stress and competition was excruciating but
I knew of no other way. I had not found my breath.

Salesmen in the company I worked with had settled disputes with each other by meeting on a vacant lot to
fight it out. I didn’t know that I hated that business until a visit to Tahiti for two weeks put me in touch with
part of myself that only extended quiet or catastrophe seem to allow. I really understood how swimming
with the sharks had been quite a bit less than nurturing and satisfying. I began to look elsewhere for ways of
self-expression and what I felt were healthier, more lasting ways of relating to others. Money was not an
issue since I had had plenty of money and that had not made me any happier.

Time away from the real estate shark tank I began to remember the pure joy of being alive; remembering my
youth when I was happy, safe, and full of new experiences. I was excited about learning and sharing new
and useful information. Long before I’d ever heard of and come to admire author speaker John Bradshaw, I
began a quest to reunite with what I sometimes called my eleven year old.

I promised myself that I was not going to let anything get in the way of my path towards wholeness, passion
and purpose. I estimate that in terms of the money I made plus the moneymaking deals I let pass me by that
I spent more than three million dollars on personal growth programs. I want to use that investment to help
millions of people find their breath and all the health, vitality, and life extending benefits that stem from that.

I was a very happy one-year-old. You can see it in my baby pictures. My mother told me that she witnessed
my father terrifying me with a vacuum cleaner when I was about two years old. As he laughingly taunted me
with something that I was obviously frightened of, he informed my mother that he was doing this to "make a
man out of me." At seven I took the "wrong" street home from Sunday school, arriving home on time. An
hour later my paternal grandmother returned after going up the "right" street to meet me. She went to the

Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing
© Michael Grant White - July 2005 - all rights reserved
6
cupboard, returned with a double razor strap, and beat me with it for a very long time. She yelled something
about paying attention to instructions. I never returned to Sunday school. “Normal” childhood occurred with
many other intimidating incidences, and by age 10 I had developed into a frightened, lonely child with few
pleasant memories of earlier years. .

During my eleventh year my fifth grade teacher (God bless Theo S.) had the class sing every morning for 45
minutes. School life slowly blossomed into fun and adventure with exciting new experiences every day. I
began to change from a frightened child to a joyful, happy child. My teacher had me sing for the entire
student body and faculty. My voice could fill a large auditorium. Life was exciting. My girlfriend was
chosen to be on television, my grades in school were nearly all A’s. I loved learning. I became joyfully
expressive. I have many pleasant memories of that year.

A year later, my father, a policeman, was supporting a wife with a ten years life expectancy due to
Parkinson’s disease, a retarded two year old son, a bad back, a bone growing out of the bottom of his foot,
impending deafness, and a 12 year old (me) growing one inch per month with unbridled curiosity about life.

As fathers (and policemen) will do, he sought to put some controls into his environment. Over the next few
years, between ages 12 and 16, as a result of accumulating demerits by not making my bed, taking out the
trash, feeding the dog or doing the dishes, I received from my father several beatings that went beyond the
point where I could scream. I also experienced several random traumatic incidents involving my ability to
breathe. I lost interest in school, could no longer sing, became shy and nervous, and almost constantly in a
hurry.

Age 33 after enduring a numbing sense of loss from a devastating divorce and loss of the presence of my
beautiful three-year-old son, I realized that my life felt very empty and I was at an all-time low. I
remembered that singing used to make me feel great, but I could no longer hold or match a tone vocally. I
instinctively sensed this might connect to my emptiness and confusion so I sought a singing teacher. This
began my return to the breath. Sadly, she wasn’t a very good singing teacher for me. What I really needed
was to re-learn how to breathe, and then singing would become easy again. It wasn’t till 20 years later that I
discovered that breathing was the key.

“When the deepest parts of you become engaged in what you are doing, when
what you do serves both yourself and others, when you do not tire within but
seek the sweet satisfaction of your life and work, you are doing what you were
meant to be doing”.
Gary Zukav

REGAINING MY “ELEVEN YEAR OLD”.

Years later, I feel much younger than my age. I am energetic and full of plans for the future. Relationships,
passion and a sense of purpose guide my priorities. I feel worthwhile and am treating myself accordingly.
Though some hearing loss challenges my patience, I am most often at peace, even when those near me are
not. I've even learned to like myself. I’ve also forgiven my father who is gone now, to his next expression. I
know that he loved me. Through the breath I have grieved my unmet needs as his son. What he did was
done to him, I have grieved the loss and now there’s no one left to blame. His ring is one of my most valued
possessions.
The breath has healed me. Twice.

Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing
© Michael Grant White - July 2005 - all rights reserved
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SECRETS
What follows will unlock some of the mysteries of breathing that have been well kept secrets long cloaked in
psychological jargon, eastern esoterica, spiritual abstractions, and new age hyperbole. By unlocking these
secrets, you have the opportunity of self-healing, self-discovery, self-empowerment, and self-transformation
limited before to only a chosen few.

Better breathing cannot suddenly give you fully developed talents you do not have, nor imbue you with
genius. It can, however, raise your IQ several points and be an invaluable aid in focusing. Better breathing
will aid or increase whatever talents you do have, as well as strengthen your insights and intuitiveness.

Observe happy, healthy, vital octo and nono genarians and see if you do not observe larger than usual chests
and good to excellent postures, daily exercise habits and copious live nutrition. Look at the postures and
chest sizes of 2 incredibly vibrant long living roll models. Paul Bragg at age 95 and Gypsy Boots at age 92;
The lung volume related to body mass of certain sea turtles, an average life span of 100+ years. Now think
of what kind of metabolism a sea turtle must have to dive underwater for 15-20 minutes without breathing.
Their lungs are nearly 50% of their total body volume.

The Framingham study http://www.breathing.com/articles/clinical-studies.htm quantified the health and
longevity secrets of the breath but they did not quite know what to do with it or to take full advantage of its
relevance. But I do and so will you.

The keys to optimal breathing are Accuracy, VARIETY, Repetition, Maintenance; what you do to your
breathing, on an ongoing basis, is big, deep, effortless, strong and safe, repeatedly strengthens existing
capabilities, offsets weaknesses, and expands your natural creativity and options in life.

Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing
© Michael Grant White - July 2005 - all rights reserved
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Page
DISCLAIMER 3
THE BEGINNING 5
CONTENTS 7
INTRODUCTION 10

I. WHAT IS OPTIMAL NATURAL BREATHING?
Ways Optimal Breathing can affect your health and life: 11
II. FEELING, MEASURING, ASSESSING YOUR BREATHING 19
III. SCIENCE AND CLINICAL STUDIES 31
IV. BASIC BREATHING ANATOMY & NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTION 34
V. RESPIRATORY FUNCTION AND OXYGEN 47
VI. DAY TO DAY FACTORS THAT SUPPORT OPTIMAL BREATHING 58
VII. BREATHING EXERCISES & DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORT 61
VIII. BREATHING REFLEX DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES & EXERCISES 83
IX. SINGING, SPEAKING, CHANTING TONING 96
X. THOUGHTS, ATTITUDE & BREATHING 100
XI. BENEFITS & TESTIMONIALS 102
XII. GLOSSARIES –ALTENAITVE MODALITIES PROGRAM THEMES A-Z 109
XIII. BREATHING.COM WEB SITE ARTICLES 138
XIV. GOING DEEPER 144
XV. APPENDIX 153
XVI. THE OPTIMAL BREATHING SCHOOL 169
Section 2 1-107
BUILDING HEALTHY LUNGS, NATURALLY
Mechanical Breathing Function - Posture - Movement and lung function - Breathing Exercises
Squeeze and breathe - Diet & Nutrition - Digestion and elimination - just as important as healthy eating
Sunshine- Water -Supplements - including 55 lung friendly ones - Hair, Urine & Blood Testing- Save a lot of money -
Fasting, cleansing - Detoxification – Food, air, environment, cosmetics - Weight control

Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing
© Michael Grant White - July 2005 - all rights reserved
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Lung Diseases - 300 meds that can harm the lungs - Oxygen therapies

Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing
© Michael Grant White - July 2005 - all rights reserved
10
INTRODUCTION

The Main Points Of This Manual Are.

1. Optimal Natural Breathing/Breath is life.
2. The Deep And Easy Breathing Reflex.
3. Specific Breathing Exercises In Order
4. Simple Ways Of Measuring Breathing (Belly, Back, Ribs, Chest, Voice, Daily Functions, Skills)
5. Optimal Measurements In ALL Those Areas Simultaneously Almost Guarantees That You Will
Experience More Of Practically Everything Good In Life And Rarely, If Ever, Get Sick
.
Ever hear or say the expressions “get a life”? “Take a breath”?

In this manual you will examine key points of your own breathing and use those insights in every aspect of
your life. The DIRECT AND INDIRECT CONDITIONS RELATED TO THE WAY YOU BREATHE help
you choose and track what is most important to you. In the breathing CONDITIONS AND SUGGESTED
PROGRAMS section you can create your very own exercise program.

“Breath is life”. It is an ancient axiom. Why so?

After years of studying different spiritual and psychological disciplines I discovered that almost every well
known or broadly accepted spiritual approach, had hidden within it one or more specific ways of addressing
the way that someone used the breath and breathing. If they had one thing in common it was a strong respect
for prana, chi, ki, elan vital, spiritus, pneuma, kundalini or what I call Optimal Life Force. If it was so
important to all those spiritual disciplines, there must be many secrets kept about it that could benefit the
human condition.

My father was a police detective and always counseled me to look for the common denominators. The
common denominator became more then the simple fact we breathe, but rather why, how and in what way?
This idea of the way, the how and the why pointed me towards something I could, without expensive science
and distorted opinion, feel and measure on my own giving me a sense of tangible evidence

Eventually I realized there was something terribly wrong with the way I was breathing. It has taken almost
25 years to discover what was wrong and how to make it better. During that time I spent a fortune looking
for answers in all the wrong places. I discovered what did NOT work. Having had this book from the
beginning would have shortened that time considerably and saved me a lot of frustration, confusion,
relationship problems and money. Breath really IS life. A strong, deep, natural, easy, free and coordinated
breath truly is a metaphor for life.

From my research I found that the breath affects every aspect of our existence. Learning this opened my
mind to personal change and gave me valuable life enhancing insights. One cannot understand the breath
without making a study of it. And to know the breath, one must experience it directly.

Breath is somatic, kinesthetic, insightful, emotional, and spiritual as well as physical, mechanical and
biochemical. I suggest you use this book as a beginning, like a basic tool kit you keep in the trunk of your
car.

Secrets of Optimal Natural Breathing
© Michael Grant White - July 2005 - all rights reserved