Local newlyweds learned the importance of “coherent breathing” later in life, and hope to impart their beliefs onto students in a new five-week course.
Carol Ann Pedigree McConnell teaches the coherent breathing strategy discussed in “The Healing Power of the Breath: Simple Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety, Enhance Concentration, and Balance Your Emotions” by doctors Richard Brown and Patricia Gerbarg, and she became acquainted with her husband, John Terry McConnell, while teaching a class. Pedigree McConnell also teaches a breathing course at Fitchberg State University and Berkshire Community College.
Together, the two taught the first of a series of breathing classes at the Greenfield YMCA Tuesday night. The couple say breathing consciously — through the nose, with the diaphragm — has improved their daily lives immensely. Breathing well can improve physical and mental health, ease stress levels and help people to connect with one another.
“If you find in your life that you’re over-anxious — and many of us are — over-thinking, over-anxious, fearful, a lot of us have been breathing up here, too fast, and when we’re breathing too fast, we’re losing too much carbon dioxide,” McConnell said.
During the class, they demonstrated breathing techniques to students. Strategies include keeping your eyes closed and rubbing your temples, and breathing with your hands on your diaphragm.
Among McConnell’s recommendations are holding the breath consciously, rather than from panic, which he said can be done while sitting or walking. He also advises taking care of one’s physical health by breathing from the diaphragm and the nose, eating fresh fruit and vegetables, drinking eight glasses of water every day, avoiding refined sugar and sleeping a substantial amount. Maintaining good posture is another tip he suggests, as well as using a “Neti Pot” (a tool to clear the sinuses).
The brain is also a tool to improve breathing, McConnell said. He recommends talking through problems to relieve stress, as well as believing that your lungs are healing.
“The way I think is crucial to my health,” he said.
The cost of the course is $40 for five sessions. The remaining classes run on Tuesdays in the YMCA social room: April 2, April 9, April 16 and April 23. For more information, contact John Terry McConnell by email at runnerwithasthma@gmail.com or by phone at 413-834-9041.
Contact Grace Bird at gbird@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 280.