Oxycise Breathing Exercise

Oxycize is a deep-breathing technique that focuses on using the diaphragm and flexing and contracting muscles to help you lose weight 3. Oxycise products for sale include workout videos, CDs and books 2. The program, which comes in four different levels, also includes a specific series for those who want to exercise more slowly.

History

Jill Johnson, who developed Oxycise, spent years researching popular and medical literature for a solution to her own struggles with weight 2. When she read in a physiology textbook that "fat oxidizes into carbon dioxide," she experimented with various deep-breathing techniques and "flexing and contracting muscle groups." She lost 50 lbs. in six months and has kept it off for more than 20 years, she claims. She began teaching and marketing these techniques as a weight-loss program called Oxycise 2.

Significance

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According to Johnson, "Oxygen is the key to metabolism, and yet it's the last thing we think about because it's free." The Oxycise breathing technique emphasizes proper intake of oxygen and working muscles to quicken the metabolism and burn fat more effectively 2. Recommended practice is 15 minutes per day.

Basic Practice

The basic breath practice involves a deep inhalation through the nose, then tilting the base of the pelvis forward and inhaling three more "sniffs." The deep exhalation is through a slight parting of the lips followed by three short, rapid exhalations.

Exercise

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Johnson recommends an exercise you can do while you're working at your desk, washing the dishes or driving your car. While sitting comfortably with your body relaxed but not collapsed, inhale deeply through your nostrils, using your diaphragm, and count to three. Release any tension you're holding and gently tighten your buttocks and abdomen.

Still using your diaphragm, exhale as if you're blowing through a straw as you count to three. Just as you did on your inhalation, release any tension you're holding and gently tighten your seat and abdomen. As you slowly exhale, tighten your buttocks and stomach. Repeat 10 more times. According to Johnson, you will start to notice muscle improvement after about one month.

Considerations

Oxycise exercises are not recommended for anyone with blood clots, due to the increase in heart rate and circulation 2. If you have any similar health conditions, check with your physician before attempting this practice.

Expert Insights

Experts say the chances of losing weight just by breathing deeply are slim. Richard Godfrey, chief physiologist at the British Olympic Medical Centre, and Ian Macdonald, professor of metabolic physiology at the School of Biomedical Sciences in Derbyshire, England, agree that only vigorous aerobic activity will effectively burn calories and fat. In addition, Professor Macdonald advises against excessive deep breathing, as it may disturb the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide and possibly cause light-headedness.

Product Review

According to a review by Dietspotlight, Oxycise breathing techniques have not been proven to burn fat and may be difficult for those with respiratory difficulties 2. The review concludes that Oxycise offers no inherent danger, but advises to proceed with caution as its claims have not been proven 2.