I am not getting anywhere and no matter how many times I try, I don't get results, I get upper chest and neck pain. After about 2 weeks I have to stop until the pain and soreness goes away.

When I do the 3 sniffs, I only feel it from above my breasts into the neck. It feels like all my oxygen is cut off. My allergies are always bothering me also and I have to keep blowing my nose throughout my workout.

Any suggestions? Am I trying to hard or what?

I'm really sorry you're having problems. Have you read Julie's breathing tips under "announcements" up at the top of the Oxy board? Some of the ladies do their breathing in the shower because the extra moisture helps them. I've just never experienced the things you mentioned, so I really don't know what to suggest. I hope you can make this work for you because it really is a wonderful program!
Susanna

[This message was edited by Susanna on January 23, 2004 at 01:59 PM.]

Pat,
I have had neck pain before especially when I am not relaxed in the neck area, which is not easy for me to do. Since I was little I've had a couple vertebrae that are too close together & I don't have much neck mobility at times. Sounds worse than it is! I can turn my head but not as far as the next person.

The key for me is to totally relax the neck & shoulders and make the belly do all the work. It can be hard to do in some of the chair positions.

Hope this helps
Shelby

When you have already taken a big deep breath and your lungs are full, you don't have a lot of room for more air -- so when you do the 3 extra sniffs you are going to be "topping off" your lungs and you WILL feel it in your chest. So that's OK.

On the 3 extra sniffs we ask you to tighten up your ab muscles and then try to take in just a little more air. This is hard to do -- but that's what makes it effective for ab toning.

You shouldn't be feeling pain, however.

Shelby's suggestion is good... try to relax your head and neck as much as possible. And when you do the "Smile" don't clench your jaws like a vice grip -- this could cause tension and pain -- just relax and smile.


Doing the Basic Breath in the shower, as Susanna suggested, can feel very refreshing.

The whole experience of doing the Basic Breath should feel GOOD... invigorating, but rejuvenating at the same time.

Be sure to relax when you inhale.

When it's time to tighten your abs and other muscles, try to relax your face and neck. This may take some time... it's actually pretty normal to get your whole body involved (tight and tense) when you are trying to really work your abs/buns/thighs,etc. Sort of like trying to pat your head and rub your tummy at the same time! But just being aware of the problem will help.

I have shared with others that raising my eyebrows and telling myself to relax helps "erase" any tension from my face and neck when I feel it creeping in.

Hope this is helpful!

Thanks, I think the biggest problem is that I'm not relaxing. I pulled out the 3rd level easy does it tape this weekend, which really reminds you to relax you shoulders. I think I also cut off my oxygen to the extreme, because I get a little light-headed.

I need to just slow down and learn to do it right. It would be great to find a successful person in my area (Dallas/Ft. Worth) to slap me into shape to learn the technique correctly.

I don't plan to give up, but I sure would love to get the results that keeps everyone else doing their "O" exercises every day.

Thanks Jill, Susanna & Shelby for your replys. Support is what motivates us to get the results we are striving for. Thanks!!