8 . Three Exercises to Make Breathing Easier
If you lack lung power and feel a little exhausted even after a short jogging, the following exercises can be of great help.
Use Your Diaphragm (横膈膜)
Your diaphragm is the muscle that controls breathing, and because it is located right above your stomach, you can strengthen them together. Lie on your back with your knees bent, keeping one hand on your stomach and the other on your chest. Breathe in deeply, slowly pulling the air into your lungs. Breathe out through your mouth. Try to wait seven seconds before taking in air again.
Imagine You Are Rowing a Boat
This exercise strengthens the upper back muscles and opens your chest cavity (腔), allowing for full lung ability. Sit on the floor with your legs in front of you and knees slightly bent. Put a resistance band around the bottoms of your feet and hold it in front of you in an X shape. Holding an end in each hand, spread your arms, then pull backward until your hands meet your chest. Repeat at least six times three days a week.
Walk for 20 Minutes
Walking doesn’t just get your heart pumping or work your leg muscles—it also builds up the area around your lungs to help them function better. To get the most out of your walk, stand straight, with your head up and your shoulders back, and keep a heel-to-toe pace, allowing your lungs to fully expand. Combine walking with deep breathing to increase your air intake. Work up to walking three or four days a week.
No matter which exercise you pick up, keep this in mind: Chances are that it will take you several months to see the outcome. So keep it up!
1. What should you obey if you are strengthening your diaphragm?
| A．You should lie on your stomach with your knees bent. |
| B．You should hold your breath before breathing in again. |
| C．You should do it seven times a week to get a best result. |
| D．You should do it by breathing in merely with your mouth. |
2. How can you take in more air?
| A．By keeping on rowing a boat regularly. | B．By opening your chest cavity more often. |
| C．By integrating walking with deep breathing. | D．By allowing your lungs to expand to the fullest. |
3. What do the three exercises have in common?
| A．They all need some extra assistance. | B．They all involve using your both feet. |
| C．They all require you to stand straight. | D．They all call for constantly practicing. |
