Awareness of Breath

Becoming aware of your breathing, and how your bodily sensations are intertwined with your breath, is an essential first step in learning to control your breath for desired function. Breathing is an essential function regulated by the autonomic or involuntary nervous system. Your body breathes without your conscious effort. Breathing can also be controlled by conscious effort. You can change the way you breathe. 


Breathing effects feelings and emotions through the chemistry of gas exchange. Air is primarily nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%) with other gases comprising the balance. Our body takes oxygen from the air we inhale. We exhale carbon dioxide, excess oxygen, and other gasses we don’t need. Exhaled breath is about 16% oxygen. Typically, at rest, we don’t even come close to using all the oxygen in our breath! The way we use our muscles to inhale and exhale also affects feelings, emotions, and performance.


Many people over breathe by taking short, shallow, rapid breaths. This type of breathing is associated with anxious feelings. Another type of breathing is a slow, belly breath or diaphragmatic breathing, the abdomen gently rises and falls with the breath. It can be associated with relaxation. 


Breathing exercises? Yes!


There are many types and forms of breathing exercises for different goals. Learning to become aware, to simply notice, how you breathe is the place to start. Follow Dr. Miriam Graham, PT in the 10-minute video Awareness of Breath. 

Desktop, laptop and microphone on top of a physical therapy table.

Move Into Your Fear

By Restore Motion • April 28, 2025
Fear—feels awful and can be completely paralyzing! We at Restore Motion understand those feelings. Don’t let fear about your mobility, strength, and function be the boss of you. You can heal, you can get stronger, you can have an active life. Let Restore Motion be your ally. Let’s move into the fear together and come out on the other side! Last week I did a webinar with two colleagues. I found myself 15 minutes before our start manipulating our slide deck presentation display with two monitors, all the required connections and adaptors for my computer, lights, chargers, power strips, ear buds and a stand to hold my phone for IG Live. I had it all figured out! Then my cursor didn’t move as expected across the two monitors making slide advancement super slow and awkward. I had to log off and reconfigure. The thought, “I don’t know how to do this” floated through with its twin “why do I do this to myself?” I put those thoughts aside and just did what needed to be done. I knew it was possible. I saw my colleagues shine through their presentations, SO proud of them! The participants learned helpful information and felt empowered to take better care of themselves. The hour went quickly. It was a success! As I dismantled the control center my colleague of over 20 years Thom Shenk, (LMT and Rolfer) asked, “How did it go, Miriam?” I answered, “I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pull it together because of all the pieces” gesturing to the equipment. “You move into your fear well” he said. I laughed, “What did you say again?” One of my best complements, EVER! He went on to explain, “I meant that you do not let the fear stop you from moving forward. So, you move and go into the fear well, experience it as not real and simply apply the antidote. You move into the fear and beyond it to the appropriate action. I am impressed by the fearlessness in your life.” It doesn’t feel like fearlessness at the time. I feels like a flash of complete incompetence, utter failure, and a desperate point of no return. It feels like taking a deep breath and just not stopping, despite all self-created silliness. “Just keep going—all of this is temporary—don’t stop here!” Injury, pain, and dysfunction can be temporary too. Don’t get stuck in a rut. The body is supremely resilient. We know what needs to be done and what is possible. Come move through the fear to find the antidote with your allies at Restore Motion.