Tag: exhalation

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Healthy lungs

Today I had my pulmonary function test — another new experience on my medical adventure.

It was actually rather fascinating. The technician was super clear and articulate, as well as extremely encouraging, cheering me on to extend my inhalation or exhalation just a little bit longer.

I was surprised at how tired I was when I got home afterwards; I think it was more of a workout than I appreciated in the moment. It also took a lot of concentration to remember when to inhale quickly, hold my breath, pant like a puppy, or one of the other very specific actions.

I’m pretty sure the results will show that I have healthy lungs (although I guess one never knows for sure).

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Making vs managing

Had a bit of a realization today about the fact that — despite my work being all about music — less and less of my day-to-day life involves actual music. And the reason this matters is that there are healing aspects around the making of music that are not present in managing a music department.

For example, today I learned that it’s scientifically proven that focusing on longer exhalations can help us cope with feelings of stress and overwhelm. That’s because exhaling stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which decreases heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and releases muscular tension.

So, no wonder I loved playing long tones on flute so much! Long tones meant a deep inhalation followed by a l-o-n-g, controlled exhalation, repeated for upwards of twenty minutes at a time…all while deeply concentrating on creating a beautiful sound.

I’m not planning to go back to being a full time flutist, but this is certainly something to notice and meditate on and seek to re-balance.