As for now I will only

Is there a reason you're rationing your medication?

Hi Perre,

Yes, my last posting was a bit mystical.

Maybe the following argument more like a theorem in geometry will be
more satisfying.

Nakamura ("Oriental Breathing Therapy") shows how intensive
training of the abdominal muscles can benefit breathing.  You lie on
your back and breathe with increasing weights on your abdomen  You
start with one pound and end up with five in periods as long as 30
mins. Then in another exercise you sling a long length of cloth around
your waist and get used to the feeling of the cloth's slipping in
response to breathing.

This training improves the ability to blow out  candles at an
increasing distance.

Then you do synchronized breathing in more and more energetic
exercises, i.e. synchronized to something like waving the arms in a
circle. The physical effort for each cycle is gradually increased.

You experience improved breathing with controlled abdominal pressure.

This it seems clear to me is using the Frank-Starling mechanism to
increase pulmonary blood flow by increasing venous return - squeezing
the vena cava.

Speaking as a sort of hopefully honest, investigative, former sufferer
from lung disorders, adopting this approach does produce a surge of
blood into the lungs, which corrects regional mismatch between lung
ventilation and lung blood supply - a principal symptom of asthma
etc. I can take a deep breath in a vastly improved manner. There is a
feeling of a wave moving upwards from around the navel to a full
expansion of the upper chest and slight lifting of my shoulders.  The
heart beats more powerfully.

QED!

Note:
a)    Nakamura does not himself say this is a treatment for asthma.
b)    There are probably some side effects - worsening of pulmonary
hypertension in some cases - but Nakamura's orderly presentation is
very impressive.

Regards, Richard Friedel

Appendix:

Nakamura pages 75-77.
.......................................

Relationship between breathing and the abdominal pressure
We have already learned that the purpose of the breathing exercises is
not only to promote air exchange in and out of the body but also to
introduce a form of stimulus to the abdominal region. This stimulus,
resulting in increased abdominal pressure through the strengthened
muscles, drives extra blood, stagnant around the mesentery, into the
veins. How exactly should one impose pressure on the lower abdominal
region effectively?
Before dropping off to sleep each night, stretch your legs out fully on
the bed. Be sure that the body is relaxed, and concentrate. Inhale from
the nose deeply, and hold the air for a while, and, while pushing it
toward the lower abdominal region, exhale gradually next. When
inhaling, count one; when exhaling count two. In this way, count your
breaths as it is believed to be a very effective measure in calming the
mental state and in being quietly inspired.
Counting your breaths means concentrating your mind on the respiratory
activities. Count the number from one to four consecutively, and then
return to one again. Repeat this for about 500 rounds each night.
The following points must be followed in breath counting exercises:
1)    Inhale from the nose and try to push air down toward the lower
abdomen from the chest and the upper abdominal region. Keep remember to
expand the abdomen a little and make it slightly hard. Do not, however,
try to conduct valsalva breath holding by closing the throat in an
attempt to harden the abdominal part. This rushes blood up to the head,
face and the neck regions. When inhaling, take as much time as is
naturally possible.
2)    After inhaling from the nose, take a pause for a few seconds.
After holding the breath, exhale gradually.
3)    Exhale air as slowly as possible, from the bottom of the lower
abdominal region through the upper abdomen and the chest, and through
the nose. When exhaling, remember to lower the abdomen a little bit
more than usual and pull its muscles in.
4)    Having exhaled from the nose, hold your breath counting from one
to four. Pause between each count.
5)    Repeat the exercise. Generally, four respiration cycles are
completed per minute. Therefore, conduct this exercise for 15-30
minutes. This means a total of 60-100 rounds of inhaling and exhaling
are to be completed before one is allowed to rest. Make it a rule to
conduct three sets of this 15-30 minute exercise per day. This means
that 300 rounds of the respiration exercise are to be conducted every
day.
6)    One may stand upright, sit on a chair, or stretch out full length
on the floor to perform this exercise. One may even walk or sit on the
floor while doing it. Once you are accustomed to this exercise, you can
conduct it while doing needlework in the dining room or while cooking
in the kitchen. It is also possible to be practicing it while engaged
in office work or reading. One thing to remember regarding your posture
when carrying out the exercise, though, is to keep it erect in one way
or another. Also, if walking, walk at a stable pace with the length of
each step equaling the length of your shoulder. Keep the upper body
straight. Furthermore, if sitting on a chair, sit in deeply and stretch
your backbone upright. Hold up the head and fit it there. Set your eyes
on a certain object. Join your hands and set them on the knee; using
them to count when sitting is suggested.
When standing, place both arms flat on the sides of the body. If lying
on your back on the floor, thrust both feet out and place both hands on
the underbelly.
For beginners, it is necessary to keep close track of whether the lower
abdominal muscles are being put to full use. Therefore, place, both
hands inside the belt.
7)    It is vital that the upper body be relaxed while undergoing this
exercise. The muscles in the neck, chest, shoulders, face, head, and
hands are all be totally loose. The waist, the legs and the abdominal
region, however, must be concentrated on fully. Unless the points
mentioned above are paid attention to, especially by beginners, a rush
of the blood to the head or dizziness may occur.
Continuous pressure is to be imposed on the lower abdominal part when
undergoing this exercise. How can this pressure prove effective?
Physical pressure on the abdomen is caused by contraction and tension
imposed on the diaphragm, the abdominal muscles, the waist muscles, and
the backbone. This pressure gradually concentrates in the central part
of the body, between the fourth and fifth lumbars and on the median
line. This pressure activates movements, as well as the muscles in the
waist and the abdomen. The intensity of this pressure is in proportion
to the relaxation of the movement and muscles in the chest, shoulder,
hands, neck, head, and face. In particular, the abdominal pressure
stimulates the sensation of motion in the heels and the big toes of the
feet.
This is caused by the activation of the vagus, which consists of the
pelvic ganglion, the sympathetic ganglion, and the inferior mesenteric
ganglion at the center, stimulates the central autonomic nervous
system, and promotes a sense of balance and coordination throughout the
body. The activation also works to intensify the coordinated activities
of the autonomic nervous system.
Accordingly, the cerebrum, which directs the body's sense of balance,
is stimulated with the introduction of pressure on the abdomen.
Furthermore, the pressure excites the sensory area of the brain proper
through thalamic radiation, which is brought on by the stimulation of
the cerebrum. The pressure thus leads to total activation of the
sensory aspects of the brain.
The total activation of the perception in turn leads to coordination of
senses, vital in memory functions. At the same time, simultaneous
awakening of the central autonomic nervous system enriches emotional
functions. The network of nerves controlling movement works to solidify
the will when the system is totally coordinated throughout the body.
Therefore, it is said that abdominal pressure gives physiological
grounds for the purification of the will.
Interrelationship between Breathing and Abdominal Pressure
What is the relationship between breathing and abdominal pressure? In
broad terms, they are as closely related to one other as two wheels on
an axis. Respiratory training automatically means intensive exercises
involving the abdominal pressure.
The main aspects of breathing exercises are as follows: The time spent
in exhaling must be more than that spent when inhaling. Each
respiratory cycle must be carried out fully and calmly. Pressure both
inhaling and exhaling must be conducted rhythmically. Breathing should
be conducted through the nose. When respiration is involved, the
various muscles in the chest as well as the diaphragm and abdomen all
take part in the process. Specifically, among the muscles involved in
the respiration process are external intercostal muscles and internal
intercostal muscles.
Among the auxiliary muscles taking part in the process of inhaling are
anterior, medial, and posterior scalenus muscles, serratus posterior
superior muscles, major and minor pectoral muscles, sternocleidomastoid
muscles, levator scapulae muscles, and rhomboideus muscles. The muscles
in the diaphragm take part in the process of exhaling. When these
muscles are moved in coordination with the movements of the diaphragm
in order to intensify each respiratory process, vital capacity of
functions is increased, thereby improving the alveoli of the lung and
hastening the circulation of both blood and lymph.
Remember that the abdominal pressure must be exerted in upright
postures, be it when one is standing, sitting or lying down. While
undergoing the exercises, the walls of the chest are to be lowered
slightly, and strength must be exerted in the waist region. The upper
body must not lean forward or backward nor should it bend sideways.
(Thrusting the hips out and tightening the anus helps.)
The main part of the therapy is to strengthen the abdominal muscles
during the process of exhaling. With all your might, exert efforts to
strengthen the muscles while exhaling slowly from the nose. Keep the
anus tight. The abdominal muscles can be worked out to maximum limits
in this way.