Lesson 24 – How To Breathe Properly When Wearing a Face Mask (Replay of Live Qigong Class)
This is a replay of a live session showing you a Qigong routine for Spring, taught by myself, Dr. Janice Tucker. I have been teaching Qigong for two decades and am the founder of the Space To Relax Programme of Qigong video lessons. I’m also a practitioner of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. You can join my live classes on Zoom every Thursday at 4 pm Irish time. Click here to join us (lesson replays sent out by email in case you can’t make it).
These classes are free and everyone is welcome. However, if you’d like to contribute as a thank you for the class click here. 50% of donations will go to the ICU staff in my local hospital in Co. Kerry. The other 50% goes towards the upkeep of this website.
How To Breathe Properly When Wearing a Face Mask – Introduction
If you have been enjoying these classes during the last few months and you’d like to donate something by way of a thank you, I’ll be giving 50% of donations to the ICU nurses in my local hospital. Click here to donate.
Introduction To How To Breathe Properly When Wearing a Face Mask
When we breathe rapidly, shallowly or through the mouth this can create a state of high alert (fight or flight) in our bodies. In this state we can feel tension, stress and panic. Shallow breathing can also cause tension in the chest and neck muscles, making it more difficult for you to mentally relax.
In this video you can follow along with a Qigong technique which can help to breathe properly and be more relaxed when wearing a face mask. This will help you to quell any feelings of claustrophobia or suffocation which can result in stress, anxiety and panic. Being able to regulate your breathing using Qigong and also adjusting your posture to allow easy flow of air in and out of the lungs can make a huge difference to how you adapt to wearing a mask.
Method for How to Breathe Properly When Wearing a Face Mask
- Ensure your posture is upright to allow for free and easy movement of air in and out of your lungs. For more on the correct Qigong stance click here.
- Just before you put your mask on take 5 “quality breaths” by inhaling for a count of 4 and exhaling for a count of 6.
- Put your mask on then repeat your 5 “quality breaths” to adapt to the presence of the mask on your face.
- Take off the mask and continue with Abdominal Breathing.
Integration into Your Day
We are all in a position where we have to now wear a mask for some part of our day. The best way to learn how to breathe properly when wearing a face mask is to practice for short periods of time at home. Think positive, and know that by using abdominal breathing, you can get enough air into your lungs and regulate your breathing in a calm and relaxed manner. Remember to take regular breaks from wearing your mask when possible.
Previous Live Lesson Replays
Previous live lesson replays are listed below and can be found on my blog page.
What Can I Do Next?
To sign up and attend the live online sessions please click here. Classes are free of charge and suitable if you’re a beginner or have more Qigong experience. Once you sign up I’ll send details to your email with links to the Zoom classes (check your junk/spam folders for notifications). Please share this information with your family and friends as everyone is more than welcome.
If you’d like to take your practice to the next level with my structured, step-by-step Space To Relax Qigong programme of 50 video lessons accompanied by audio and PDF files with support from me every step of the way then click here.
To get my free part video series of 3 Qigong lessons which will be delivered to you by email over the course of one week please go to my homepage. In these lessons you’ll learn more about abdominal breathing and Qi movement along with how to rid waste Qi from your body order to feel more relaxed and energised.
You can also click the red “subscribe” button to join my YouTube channel. That way, you won’t miss any future Qigong lessons from me.
