Deep Breathing & Mindfulness Class: Anyone else having success?

@baker00l Good for you! It's awesome that you are finding success with diaphragmatic breathing and mindfulness exercises learned at Mayo. I use these techniques in helping manage chronic pain. I can not speak on behalf of Post-COVID recovery, but I can attest that making deep breathing and mindfulness part a daily routine has many overall health benefits. I use it during meals as well when esophagus or digestive symptoms may flare. It works like the ole set the fork down between bites rule.

Thank you for sharing your success with breath and calmness. Wishing you continued healing in your journey.

The class sounds interesting and helpful. Is it available online? Thank you

I understand deep breathing BUT WHAT IS "MINDFULNESS?"

I'm interested in hearing if lung cancer patients have found this technique helps to minimize shortness of breath.

Hi baker00l @baker00l I'm curious to find out where at Mayo Clinic you took these mindfulness and deep breathing classes. Sounds like you are seeing a lot of great benefits!
Angie

There are many practices and definitions of mindfulness. I will give you my perspective as a person with ADHD and a very busy mind.

Mindfulness is awareness of the activity of the mind. The goal of mindfulness is to create an enduring state of balance and peace which the Japanese call, ‘Anshin Ritsumi.’ Often, the practice of mindfulness allows for a greater understanding of the ways dualistic thinking creates suffering.

The practice of mindfulness is usually breath based which can be simple or complex, formal or informal, easy or difficult. Because of my ADHD, I find that ‘less is more,’ so I use rising/falling breath.

Successful practitioners find that is easier to make friends with the mind’s distractions rather than fighting against what is. It is this very simplicity that makes the practice of mindfulness seem like a struggle for beginners.

@skinner Great question to ask. I'd like to invite @artscaping to the conversation as she has practiced mindfulness for some time now and is our resident expert.
@cstaryos has given a beautiful description of how mindfulness has helped ADHD.

What a lovely explanation. We have a very volatile 5 year old in the family and have found it works well to use his breathing to calm him. His Dad initiated the practice based on his personal experience with ADHD in a family that didn't believe it exists.

Sue

Rising falling breathing is recommended on the COPD site.

Good evening @skinner and thank you @rwinney forthe introduction. I certainly am not an expert in mindfulness. However, I have been practicing with an amazing teacher for about five years now. I am beginning to see the results of the daily mindfulness practice. You might hear words like "show up",, "be present", "open your generous heart" and " demonstrate non judgemental acceptance." Already, others have posted their positive experiences with this simple process.

Mindfulness is taught in elementary schools to help students focus on posiive behaviors. There is a pretty thorough explanation on Wikipedia. I want to share one of my joyful days when mindfulness was present and working well for me.

About a year ago I was taken to the ER early in the morning with pain and digestive issues. As the medical professionals began to take over, I realized that my mindfulness practice was working. Instead of being negative and argumentative, I found that I was automatically welcoming every provider with gratitude and appreciation for their efforts on my behalf. I also found that this mindfulness attitude eradicated my fear and helped me tolerate the pain. My brain was doing a great job of staying present and positive.

You may wish to research the word neuroplasticity as it is the foundation for understanding the process at its roots. I remember calling my mindfulness teacher and sharing my excitment when I realized that
mindfulness was taking over. I was thrilled.

May you be safe, protected and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris