Another breath disturber?

Chronic irritation?

I'm wondering about a variety of low-level annoyances that we may forget, simply because we have become used to them.

These could be emotional or physical.

A sore toe that makes us walk funny may also cause an automatic little interruption in breathing. A rash could make us move and breathe cautiously/tentatively.

Or, a chronic shortage in the pocketbook may add tension.

Even an unfulfilled dream could cause unintentional sighs.

Posture changes with moods. A slump can become permanent, dropping the front of the ribcage and raising the back of it, and jutting out the chin. This leads to a permanently rounded upper spine, especially with age.

Frequent anger definitely would change the breathing, don't you think?

My favorite refresher (besides the basic four Alexander Techniques statements, and raising my frontal ribcage with tucking in my chin), is to exhale gently and fully. That automatically guarantees the inhale will be full, without straining.

Also, I read that one should exhale on the effort part of an exercise. Tension on the exhale automatically sends oxygen to the muscles tensed, on the next relaxed inhale.

I believe one can also direct oxygen by thinking of the part of the body that needs it. This would be particulary useful for the sore toe, or the rash, I think.

(Maybe it would help the pocketbook, as well. Hm-m-m-m...)