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!

9 . My mother turned ninety. I knew I needed to find a senior _______ center. Not for her — for me. If I were at her age, I would want to stay in shape to _______ life, getting a lot of pleasure. Yes, walking in local parks was my _______, but I wasn’t so active as before.

I called a nearby center, “Do you have aerobics (有氧运动) classes _______ for seniors?” “Sure. Come and check us out! We start at 10 am,” the receptionist (接待员) replied and _______. The next morning, I went there. One part of me was _______ that the class was too easy, not doing me any good. The other part feared it was too hard for me to _______.

When I came into the room, a woman _______ me, “Oh, you’re new. Welcome.” Then the music started. The hour-long workout woke up the muscles I didn’t often _______ in daily walks, suiting me fine. I became a member there. My classmates ranged in age from fifty to ninety. Most gave the exercises their own ________, doing as much or little as they could. ________ no one kept score. Soon I learned physical well-being wasn’t the only ________ there. During breaks, people chatted happily. Whenever some people were ________ we asked around. Were they busy? Were they in hospital? Moreover, we signed cards for those who were ill.

I ________ to be in good shape now as I’ve hoped. Still, I’m grateful for things more valuable from the class — close friendships and new social ________.