Hi, Morning Glory and Evening Grace to all of you,

I read the article about Oxycise in the First magazine and I was intrigued (skeptical but intrigued). I went to my library and got the book and read it. I came hear and peaked in on a lot of the posts and I have to say I am very impressed. I think this sounds very good and I will give it a go. Now, my question. Do I understand the book right when it says a rep is 4 breaths and by this I mean inhale-lift-sniff,sniff,sniff-exhale-puff,puff,puff-inhale-lift-sniff,sniff,sniff-exhale-puff,puff,puff-inhale-lift-sniff,sniff,sniff-exhale-puff,puff,puff-inhale-lift-sniff,sniff,sniff-exhale-puff,puff,puff all in one motion without stopping? I have tried this and granted I am about as coodinated as a moose on roller skates but this is really difficult. As I read further after we get the inhale,lift,sniff,exhale,puff manuever going then we are supposed to stand, squat, leg lifts, arm reaches, etc. Any clues as to how I can master this? Given that you fine ladies are very equipped to tell me where the error of my ways is going to be I have another quick question and that would be do you think it is necessary to have the DVD workouts at the start or do you think just the book will do for now? I'm thinking about getting the CD since I have a 30 minute commute back and forth every night to and home from work. I might as well make good use of my time while I'm listening to the latest talking head!!!!

OK, I have been windy enough and I will anxiously await your pearls of wisdom.

Thanks for your time,

Becky

Hi Becky! Welcome to Oxycise! Yes, a "rep" consists of 4 Oxybreaths. A full workout is 30 reps...so you'll do 120 Oxybreaths in a workout. Take my word for it....the more you do it, the easier it becomes. When I first started, I just did the same few positions over and over until I had done 30. There was no way I could keep up with the tape in the beginning!

Yes, there are several folks that just use the book. Susanna is the first one that comes to mind. I think she also has the commuter tape.

If you want more tips for getting the breath right, look in the Newsletters & Announcements section of the message board. I've brought a post by Julie back up to the top that is really helpful.

Thank you Kelly,

I just read the "troubleshooting" article on the newsletter thread. I'm sure that will help. Like I said, I'm uncoordinated and it probably just feels weird cuz I am new. I think I will just sit or stand still for now until I get the technique down pat. I'm hoping to work up to doing this on both commutes to work and home. Do you think that would be too much? My hubby and I have just started working out and trying to get healthy. He is close to 40 and I am over 40 and we both want to get more healthy before we have any health problems and not as a reaction to. I have been fighting my weight all my life and bless his soul my hubby never says boo about it. He is the best. Any way, thanks again for the advise. I will keep trying and when I feel comfortable with getting the basic breath down pat then I will add a few moves. One more question (full of them aren't I? ) does the commuter tape have movements or just walk you through the breaths?

thanks again,

Becky

Yes, the commuter tape does have positions. It's really just a small routine of 10 positions that is repeated two more times. They are fairly simple moves (like doing a pec press with the steering wheel) and of course don't interfere with driving. I don't multi-task too well so when I do a commuter I just usually try doing the breaths while really squeezing my buns (which actually is one of the positions).

Hi Becky!

I hope you will go ahead and get the book and CD and go for it! I've only used the book and a tape for 3 years, and that's all I've needed. Doing the commuter twice a day is not too much, if you're so inclined. However, I think that you cover more muscles when you do a workout with more positions than you can do in a vehicle.

The breathing technique is tricky for everyone to master! I remember wondering if I'd EVER "get it", but it really wasn't so long. However, I didn't understand the lift part so well at first, and I lost 30 pounds doing it wrong! After I learned to do it right, I could feel that the workouts were more effective. I found muscles that I didn't know I had!

Give your best effort and prove for yourself what many of us have already proved...Oxycise works, and does it well!

Susanna

thank you to all for such a warm welcome. You are right Susanna about me feeling if I will ever get it right but having said that I am going to work on getting the "breath" right and then work on getting a "rep" right then I will tackle the positions. Any ideas how long it takes to "get it"? Regardless, when I get home (about 4:00 am EST) I am going to Oxycise! even if it winds up being just deep breathing. My stumbling point is the lift and tuck, when to let go. I find myself holding my stomach in (a good thing) and feeling weird "relaxing" it to start my breath. I guess its just like anything else. The more you do the more it becomes a habit. Here's to making new healthy habits. Thanks again for the support. I think I'm going to go to check out the D2L I have been reading so much about.

Thanks,

Becky

You let go at the end of the 3 exhale puffs. Relax everything you've tightened, then inhale. You should be "getting it" in just a few days, but it will become easier and easier with more time.

Susanna

so its inhale, tighten, exhale, relax, rinse, repeat?

Becky,
I'm not sure how it was described in the magazine, because I didn't read it, but from a post somewhere else on the board, I understand that it wasn't quite the same as the book teaches. This is what you do~
Inhale as deeply as you can
Tighten your abs, and buns, and kegal
Take 3 more little sniffs of air~
(These are important because it really tightens your neck muscles and chin. It's also really important to keep your chin up.)
Exhale forcefully through your mouth, like you're blowing through a trumpet.
Give 3 more puffs to be sure you've exhaled all the air you inhaled. Otherwise, there can be an imbalance causing dizziness or yawning.
Relax everything, and inhale again.

Is that clearer? Be sure to read the post that Kelly brought back up under newsletters at the top of the board.

Susanna

not to belabor this point but does anyone else wind up hunching your shoulders as you exhale? Am I doing this too forcefully? You would think this would be easier to do, I know I am uncoordinated but there is just so much to remember to do through one breath!!

HI,TO ALL...I just got my cd's today and I'M EXCITED !!! I know this sounds "LAZY" from the start,but can you JUST do the breathing,and get results? without the chair,etc.exercises? I'm 57 yrs old,I'm not looking for knockout results,I REALLY NEED to lose appox.50-60 lbs.I've just been put on diebetic pills,and high blood pressure meds.I could do the breathing 7days,and I deliver for a dealership,from 9-5,so I can get in alot of car time exercise..as I ask,will just the breathing help in weight loss? I know it says in the book,no such thing as "NO" time,but raising a 8yr old grdaughter(at this point..LOL) Time is not my friend...Thanks for any comments grammynmwc

Hi Grammy! I think the breath is the most important thing. The positions really help with toning and strength. However, if you really can only find time for the breaths....then go for it!! I'm sure you can still do them with gusto and get great results!

Hi,
I am new alsoI just received my pack this week.I watched the DVD that goes over all the steps involved and I read the book. Right now I am trying to get technique down. I definitely can not keep up with the DVD yet. Any suggestions for getting going?
Thanks,
Laurie

Hi Laurie,

Don't try to keep up with the DVD at first. When I started out, I just practiced doing the first 5 positions over and over until I had done 30 reps (4 breaths per position = 1 rep). It would take me a lot longer than 15 minutes at first, too. As you get the hang of it you'll be able to use the tape and keep up with it.

Hi Becky, it's good to ask questions!

The basis breath can definitely be a little tricky at first! Not sure how long it took for me to "get it" but I think for me it was probably a week or so.

The rep is four breaths, but bear in mind that it's not a fast process done all at once, if I read your post right ("inhale-lift-sniff,sniff,sniff-exhale-puff,puff,puff-inhale-lift-sniff,sniff,sniff-exhale-puff,puff,puff-inhale-lift-sniff,sniff,sniff-exhale-puff,puff,puff-inhale-lift-sniff,sniff,sniff-exhale-puff,puff,puff all in one motion without stopping"). If you count in your head as Jill does on the tapes, it's "in........in...2...3...and out........out...2...3." The first "in" is the deep inhale then lift and tuck, the "in...2...3" are the sniffs through your nose (without exhaling), then the first "out" is the exhale (like a "trumpet" as Susanna says), then the "out...2...3" are the three puffs of air out after. Then completely relax and start again. One of these is an Oxycise basic breath, four is one rep. Remember to always have your buns tucked under in a pelvic tilt to avoid hurting your back.

Just work on mastering the basic breath first, which will become easier with practice, and then start adding the positions.

Susanna is right--the tightening in your neck muscles and face is incredible! I've had so many people comment on how much thinner my face looks when I'm Oxycising--it's like a non-surgical face-lift!

As for your shoulders, it's very important to be aware to not "hunch up" which is something I constantly have to remind myself about. When I met Jill Johnson, I asked her to critique my basic breath to make sure I was doing it right and the first thing she noticed was that I raised my shoulders. It's hard to keep them "relaxed" for some reason as she suggests. Again, being aware of it and practice will bring everything together.

Hope to see you at the D2L O!Pals thread! Keep up the great job and keep on breathin'!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Susan R. :o),

Hi grammyncmwc! Welcome!

I believe you can get results doing just the basic breath. Once you've mastered it, you can add the positions or any stretches you like that work your muscles anywhere in your body. The oxygen will immediately flow through your blood to the muscles that are being flexed, helping you burn up more fat and calories!

You may want to consider ordering the Commuter CD which is a great workout you can do in the car, safely.

Thanks,for your reply,I did get that commute cd,I got the tv special,I rec'd it fri.I cannot wait til tomorrow(mon) To start it,I'm in the car appox 6hrs everyday,I.m going to be breathing my brains off..lol..lol thats why I wondered if just the Breathing will have results. thanks again for your reply Judy>grammynmwc