I haven't bought the tapes yet, but I have a few questions before doing so.

Does this really work?? Several years ago I had bought the "other" breathing tapes and my chest and throat would get irritated everytime. I have allergy problems so guess it was too harsh.

What tapes would be the best to buy to begin with??

Thanks for any information you may offer.

Hi Kenett!

I have been using Oxycise for over 2 years and it has become a part of my life. I've had success with weight loss and it has improved my general feeling of well-being.

If you are interested in starting the program, I would suggest you get one of the starter packages. I'm not sure what is being offered right now. However, you would want to start with either the Level One Video and Introductory Video or the Easy Does It Series. I don't have the EDI tapes, so I'm not sure what the beginning videos are for that. When I began, the package I got included the Oxycise book, the Introductory Tape and the L1 tape along with the commuter routine on cassette. The book is good for reference, but I think it's easier to understand everything using the video in conjunction with the book.

I think most everyone here will agree that they like Oxycise and would encourage you to give it a try.

Kelly

Kenett, I would definitely recommend starting with the Easy Does It package deal! I started with the Level One intro like Kelly, and it's fine, but Jill goes into so much more minute detail in the Easy Does It intro tape. She takes you step by step, or better yet: inch by inch! (no pun intended) through every motion and aspect of the breath. There's way more explanation and general ease of understanding in this set.

So many people find the 3 sniffs in and out confusing and difficult. In the EDI series, she explains that that is not even necessary and can effectually be done just as well without those steps (but she literally makes it so step-by-step and easy that you can't "miss it.")

Very easy to understand, very simple, and done at a slower, thorough pace. The Level One is done at a quicker pace, and for that reason I found it a bit discouraging when first starting (not a problem now though--you build tolerance and capacity for a quicker pace as you go).

Hope this helps. And yes, there are too many people getting results for it not to work! I had pleasing results when first starting too. I haven't stuck with it as committedly as I should have, or I'd be able to give you a better report!

Katherine

I have allergies and have O! actually helps me get going in the a.m.! I am faithful every morning since Jan 03.
I encourage you to learn the proper breathing technique first, pay attention to the process during the entire workout, focuing on the breathing more than the movements and when it becomes "natural" you have achieved the routine.
Hope this helps! I AM A BELIEVER@!!

PleaHi. I have been lurking on this board for a while now. I used to do this program in 1998 and lost some inches. However, I can never get those first 3 inhales right but have no problem with the last 3 puffs. It got to the point where I hated doing the program and I quit. Recently, I pulled out L2 and started doing it without the 3 sniffs, just a nice even deep breath. I loved it but the perfectionist in me tells me that I have to it right or not at all. Here is my point (and I do have one) Katherine with a K wrote that Jill made the statement in the Easy Does video that these sniffs or puffs are not necessary to obtain results. Please tell me this is true because I have been slacking off because I am starting to hate doing O again because I can't get these 1st 3 sniffs right.I love the stretches and powerful feeling it get but those sniffs do not come easily to me. Please let me know if this is true.

Thanks

I don't always use the 3 sniffs, just one great big breath. I believe what Katherine says is right about this. Try it that way, and see if it helps.

Susanna

can you also eliminate the three puffs at the end? Big inhale, big exhale??

I am only beginning level one, but I think that it is terrific for abs exercise. Better than crunches and sit-ups, judging from the way my tummy felt the next morning after my first O! workout.

If you go to the bottom of the list to "Questions for Jill or Julie", and look under "question about basic breaths", it kind of seems like those three little sniffs are really important. I can hardly believe I've lost so much weight doing this if I'm not doing it right!

Susanna

Even if you can't actually "sniff" in more air, I think it is good to be able to contract the abs as if you were. It seems to tighten them a little more. I think it is like doing little crunches in your abs, at least that is what it feels like to me.

Start weight=292(June,2002)
Current weight=248
Current goal=245
Ultimate goal=135
Inches lost=43

"When you choose the behavior, you choose the consequences" (Dr. Phil)

My mistake--and pardon to all. Jill does not say in the Easy Does It that the sniffs are not important--it's the Lift that she explains is optional. Like Wayoata, I too felt discouraged with trying to do so much at once (though now I'm very used to it). At any rate, it's not the three sniffs in or out that will help you lose weight, but getting the oxygen in your body! Sniffing has nothing to do with your weight gain or loss, and the motive behind the sniff is to help you inhale and exhale as much air as possible, enhancing your diaphramatic and lung capacities. I've seen other websites dealing with deep-breathing and weight loss--which goes clear back to ancient Chinese origins--and they say nothing about "sniffing" in or out.

I never do the lift while inhaling, b/c it is simply too awkward. I always inhale deeply, do maybe one extra sniff for good measure, lift, then exhale and do one good puff for good measure. It really does help to bring in and expel a bit more air, and if you choose to do the full 3 sniffs and puffs, it certainly isn't going to hurt.

This is what she says about the Lift word for word on the Easy Does It instructional video:

"We have one more step to the Oxycise Basic Breath, and let me tell you this step is optional, so as you try it and learn it, if it just is too difficult for you or it seems too confusing, leave it out! It's not essential because it has nothing to do with getting the oxygen in your body; we've already got that part covered. Alright, this part is what I call 'the Lift.'" (And the Lift is described as: Lifting and squeezing the buns, lifting the abs and pushing up on them with the hand, and doing a slight pelvic tilt.)

Hope this helps to clear up any misconceptions. For more on deep-breathing as a weight-loss method (regardless of "sniffing and puffing"), refer to http://www.tbfinc.com/breathing_exercise.htm
http://www.healthyhealing.com/STR-StressArsenalEnhanced.html (scroll down to the bottom for this one--technique is similar to Oxycise! but w/o sniffs or puffs)
http://www.advancedhealthplan.com/2energy.html (this site actually mentions Oxycise and has a quote from Jill)
http://www.o2live.com/support2.html

Just a little of what's out there.

Katherine

We don't mean to make the breathing seem complicated. The extra steps are just designed to help tone your abs and help bring more air in -- or out.

The main objective of Oxycise! is to give your body lots of extra oxygen while working your muscles... by taking in lots of air, then breathing out with power.

If you tighten up your abdominal muscles when you breathe IN (which is what the Lift does) you won't be able to get much air in! That would defeat half of the purpose of Oxycise! So ALWAYS relax your abdominal muscles and take in nice, deep "belly breaths". If you have to relax your arms, buns, legs and everything else in order to relax your abdominal muscles, go ahead and "ease up" on the flexing all over.

THEN, after the inhale, you can tighten your abs (and re-tighten your arms, legs, etc.)

This is when you would add the 3 sniffs. But you don't need to do it immediately... just learn one thing at a time. The 3 sniffs WILL give you some extra abdominal toning, like tiny crunches, as Alicia mentioned.

But you can always add them later.

When you EXHALE try to use your abdominal muscles the same way you do when you cough -- to help propel the air out under higher pressure. By working your abdominal muscles you will tone your abs and also get more air out. Doing 3 extra puffs at the end will help "empty" your lungs completely so you will have more "room" for the next inhale.

But the main thing to remember is big, relaxed inhales, followed by strong exhales. And remember: relaxed abs when you inhale, tight abs as you exhale.