Having PD involves a minute to minute dance of figuring out how to monitor and appease the nervous system. This dance involves medications, life and dealing with the frustrations of whatever your symptoms might be – dyskinesia, tremor, voice issues, freezing, depression, anxiety, rigidity or whatever it might be. The fear of what might happen on any given day or what symptom might appear next keeps the nervous system in constant alert.

Bringing more awareness to how we breathe  and how we move the body can give the nervous system a tremendous amount of support. Most of us breathe shallowly into the chest never exhaling or inhaling completely. So what we are doing is reusing the same stale air that is devoid of oxygen and can’t give our brain, muscles, bloodstream, organs or tissues the food that they need to be able to function optimally. Without realizing it we often hold our breath when we are anxious or just not paying attention.

Another unconscious habit is to keep trying to inhale when we feel like we are out of breath or can’t get enough air. Exhaling completely allows for a nice dose of fresh air to oxygenate the body with the next inhale.

The concept of allowing the breath to LEAD the movement is a powerful tool for anyone but ESPECIALLY for those with PD. You can probably relate to the fact that when you are getting ready to move or talk or swallow or whatever is a challenge for you, you get anxious or fearful or frustrated and, in that moment, there is a pretty good chance that you are holding your breath. Breathe in (you probably already have SOME air in your lungs) then exhale completely. Then inhale and begin your action with the next exhale. It will probably feel much more relaxed and fluid.