Interest in the positive effects of breathing in the last 10 years has lead to an explosion of breathing programs on the internet, some of which are available for free or at low cost.
Breathing Products
- The HeartMath Institute’s ‘EMWave’ -The HeartMath Institute has a large website devoting to explicating the heart/mind/body connection. They sponsor research into the ’emotional physiology’ and stress management including neurocardiology and psychophysiology. The research foundation of the Institute is heavily focused on heart rate variability measures and they’ve produced a variety of products designed to return HRV measures to normal.
In his CFS/FM book “Your Symptoms are Real” Dr Natelson recommends the Freeze-Framer (now called the EMWave) enables you to adjust your breathing so that it is in coherence with your heart rate thus reducing stress, rebalancing your autonomic nervous system and increasing your heart rate variability (HRV) index; a factor that is invariably lowered in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Low HRV’s are associated with excessive fatigue in a number of disorders including chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), liver disease and multiple sclerosis. Dr. Natelson’s book “Your Symptoms Are Real” has special instructions on how chronic fatigue syndrome patients can use the Freeze Framer.
The HeartMath Institutes ‘EMWave’ ($199) is a portable, handheld HRV measurement product Heartmath asserts you can use to bring your breathing into coherence with your optimal HRV readings – thus rebalancing the autonomic nervous system – and leaving you in a more relaxed, healthful state. The EMWave for your computer ($299) is a similar product that provides tutorials, games, a visualizer function and data storage. The Institute also produces CD’s and other products.
- Art of Living Course – Ashok Gupta recommends his patients take a course called the ‘Art of Living’ that teaches meditative breathing techniques. Scientific studies have shown Sudarshan Kriya is effective in improving symptoms in several disorders and one study found it increased antioxidant status and reduced oxidative stress. Studies indicate oxidative stress levels (free radicals) are increased in chronic fatigue syndrome. The Art of Living course is offered around the world.
- The Breathing Box – Gay Hendricks created “The Breathing Box,” a kit that includes a DVD, a CD, a 48-page guidebook and flashcards.
- Learning to Breathe – Pat Gurnick, a psychotherapist and certified Lifestyle Counselor Counselor with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) recommends Learning to Breathe by Anna McCoy.
Sound and Breath: Several programs assert that the use of blended sounds can quickly send the brain into a meditative state allowing you to more quickly your normalize breathing patterns.
- Centerpointe – Holosync – provides you with a free demo CD that purports to help you create relaxing alpha brainwaves and the ability to ‘meditate deeper than a Zen monk’.
- The BreathEasy Site has a slow breathing online audio section you can try to see if their technique works.
- Hemi-sync – The Monroe Institute asserts that using their ‘Hemi-sync’ CD will help you achieve states of deep relaxation.
- Transformational Breathing by Dr. Judith Krantz -provides seminars on breathing techniques designed to release the effects of trauma on the body. It combines Kundalini Yoga, breath analysis, sound healing, body mapping plus other healing and spiritual principles. Check out a story of a woman with ME/CFS who’s improved using these processes.