How can I get the best results using Smoooth?
- Start by adjusting the breath rate to suit your needs. Right-click the Smoooth icon
and select Change rate. Choose a breathing rate that is a little slower than your habitual rate but not so slow that
it requires effort to maintain.
- Next select a shape that is pleasing to you and is appropriate for your work
environment. Adjust the shape settings to "fine tune" the appearance. Countless variations are
possible.
- Become more aware of your breathing pattern by checking it as frequently as
possible during your work day. Awareness, alone, helps you get maximum results.
- With practice, allow your breathing to deepen and become more relaxed and open. This
will help you work more efficiently and comfortably under nearly all circumstances.
Is Smoooth safe?
Yes, the practice of conscious breathing is safe and very beneficial for most people.
If you have a serious medical condition, consult with
your physician before changing your breathing pattern. If you suffer
from insulin-dependent diabetes, kidney disease, or low blood pressure,
do not perform deep breathing techniques without the approval of your physician.
What is the best breathing rate for me?
Experiment with a variety of rates and use the one
that produces the best result. Look for a rate that is slower than your
habitual rate under stress but not so slow that it takes effort to
maintain. If you begin to feel light headed, resume your normal breathing pattern.
What is the best shape or color for me?
Experiment. Only you can determine this. You may want to adjust the visual appearance to
match the other elements on your screen. Or you may want to explore new
transparency levels for variety. You can stretch the shapes by
changing the scale settings. You can acquire more colors by
clicking here.
Do the colors mean anything?
No. However, many people find green to have a soothing, calming effect and yellow to have a stimulating, uplifting
effect. Blue can be used if a more formal or corporate look is desired.
Who created Smoooth?
How to breathe efficiently
- Start by adjusting your position so that your back is straight, feet flat on the
floor and shoulders and neck comfortable.
- Focus your
attention on your chest, rib cage, and stomach area. Place one hand
on the center of your chest and the other hand on your stomach just
above the navel. Use your hands to help feel the movement of your
body as you perform the following steps.
- Begin to inhale through your nose. Continue to inhale while allowing your belly to
expand. Then allow your rib cage to expand and your chest to rise
until your lungs are full.
- Begin to exhale through your nose. Continue to exhale while letting your chest
relax, your rib cage contract, and your belly return to its original position.
- Repeat this procedure for several complete breaths until these movements feel
familiar. If you begin to feel light headed, return to a normal pattern of breathing.
- Stay as relaxed as possible during your slow abdominal breathing. Become aware
of your whole body and make necessary corrections to release tension. For instance, you might feel like sighing or
yawning. Be gentle with yourself as you gradually master this new way of breathing.
Abdominal breathing is the key
Abdominal breathing or "diaphragmatic" breathing makes
use of the lungs most effectively. Because of the way the lungs are
shaped, diaphragmatic breathing allows the lungs to absorb the highest
quantity of oxygen with each breath. Abdominal breathing maximizes the
use of the diaphragm to move air in and out.
The lungs are more massive at their base than at the
top. (See the photo to the right.) The lower part of the lungs hold more
air and have a larger surface area to exchange oxygen and carbon
dioxide. The lower part of the lungs receive over a liter of blood per
minute while the top part receives only about a tenth of a liter per
minute. Abdominal breathing utilizes the bottom of the lungs.
In order to learn voluntary control of the special
breathing muscle, the diaphragm, it is helpful to become aware of the
whole torso and its movements. That's because we cannot feel the
diaphragm directly. When we flatten the dome shaped diaphragm to draw
air into our lungs, we do feel the in-flow of air and the satisfaction
of the fresh oxygen supply. But we normally don't feel the diaphragm
itself. We can easily feel the abdomen.
Hidden benefits of advanced breathing
Better breathing, better intelligence
Advanced breathing makes one more aware of the internal sensations of the body. Paradoxically, being
aware of internal sensations can empower one to function more effectively in the world. One is able to act and
make choices more effectively, because internal sensations provide additional and often valuable input. This is
the world of intuition and gut feelings.
Bodily sensations and rational thought can work together in a synergistic way if allowed, giving the practitioner
an unseen but powerful advantage.
How to Operate Smoooth
To launch and exit Smoooth
Normally, Smoooth starts automatically each time you turn on your computer. To launch Smoooth manually,
double-click Smoooth icon on your desktop. To exit Smoooth, right-click the icon in the taskbar,
typically in the lower right corner of your screen. Select Exit from the context menu.
To change the breathing rate
Right-click the Smoooth icon, typically located in the lower right corner of your screen.
Select Change rate. Use the slider or enter a numeric breathing rate in the field shown.
To change the appearance of the oscillating shape
Right-click the Smoooth icon, typically located in the lower right corner of your screen. Select Change
Appearance. You can change the transparency level and stretch the shape using various scale settings.
To select a different shape
Right-click the Smoooth icon, typically located in the lower right corner of your screen. Select Change
Shape. Double-click any of the available shapes. | 
