I have been oxycising for a couple of weeks so far, and though I am optimistic about where I'm headed, I have run into a small problem. I am experiencing an increase in my neck and shoulder tension, and I can feel weariness in those areas when I try to do even the basic breath.

I have read through all the posts I can to see what tips there might be. I have stopped clenching my teeth with the inhales (something I think I was doing for the first week or so) and I try to keep everything as relaxed as possible. I have even tried doing all of my positions for the day laying down to see if the neck support helps.

I have (always - since I can remember) had problems with my shoulders and neck because I'm a violinist, so I've been through this pain before. I've been doing all the stretches, etc I can think of to help this go away. Does anyone have any more suggestions? I love the idea of oxycise - not taking too much time from my day and being low impact, but if I can't get this figured out, I may have to go back to aerobics!

Thanks much!

Mandalynne

Hello Mandalynne! The only thing I can think of (I'm sure someone else may have a better answer) is that you're breathing with your chest. Your shoulders should remain still if you're only breathing with your stomach. If you're taking deep chest breaths, you may be causing tension in your neck and shoulders. I found it easier when I started out to breath lying down...found I didn't use my shoulders at all.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Laura

Welcome Mandalynne,
I was thanking the same thing that Laura said. Make sure you relax your shoulders & when you take in the 3 sniffs make sure you are doing it with your abs & not with your chest, neck & shoulders. At first I was doing the sniffs more with just my neck, because I was wanting to make sure I worked my double chin. Then I realized that I wasn't doing my abs, too. So I really started concentrating on breathing abdominally. Hope this helps. Keep tring! This is a GREAT way to become healthy!!

Good Luck & Best Wishes,
Ellen

Started 3/8/03
155/149/130
lost 14 1/2in.

Okay - I understand what you're saying...but then my next question is how you can do the scooping and lifting while still breathing with your abdomen on the three sniffs? Methinks me doesn't get it. Or am I just misunderstanding some part of the breath?

Thanks for your input!

Hi Mandalynne...I would suggest writing to Julie (julie@oxycise.com) for her wonderful breathing tips..they're very helpful and might help you understand the different parts of the breath better!

Laura

Hi Mandelyyn,

I too had neck and shoulder tension when I first started Oxycise. Then I notices I was breathing more thru my chest and I was also tensing up because I though that was the proper way to do it. Now I pay real attention to making sure that my shoulders are relaxed. It really takes you paying attention to your shoulders and neck when doing oxycise.

I know you can get thru it. You like me just have to keep at it until we get it. I look forward to hereing your outcome.

Lisa

You might try practicing the Basic Breath in the
"Pelvic Tilt" position several times each day. (This is a floor position in which you lay on your back with your knees up, feet on the floor.)

Remember to relax when you inhale, then tighten your abs and press your lower back toward the floor as you do the Lift, 3 sniffs, exhale, and 3 puffs.

If chest breathing is a problem, this position helps force your shoulders to rest and encourages abdominal breathing.

Julie