February 15, 2003

knows no nose

One of the questions on the dentist’s form was, “do you suffer from any of the following:” and “mouth breathing” was one of the options. I’m a mouth breather, but I never thought that it was in the same category as “bleeding gums” and “pain from cold foods and liquids”. The hygienist informed me that your gums dry out and cause bleeding when you don’t breathe through your nose.

I blame the fact that air is sent to my lungs via my lips rather than nostrils on two things — genetics and Michael J. Fox. I’m not positive, but I believe that my dad had (has?) a deviated septum (if not, I know for sure that my aunt did). It’s possible that I have the same. My septum is pierced --yes, it hurt-- but I have no idea what a deviated septum feels like or how you’d tell if you had one.

As for Michael J. Fox... remember that scene in Back to the Future where he is asleep on his bed, fully clothed? The camera is a close-up on “Marty’s” head and his mouth is wide open. Michael J. Fox was my idol back in the day and, in addition to spending hours trying to flip my skateboard up and grabbing ahold of it, I also remember trying to sleep like that. Because, “someday I’ll be married and I’ve gotta look cool all the time — even when I sleep.” (I was nine, give me a break. My wife now makes fun of me for sleeping with my mouth open — thanks, Spielberg.)

The dentist, the yoga instructors, and meditation teachers all agree that I should be breathing through my nose. Since I’ve been working on breathing techniques while exercising and meditating, I find that sleeping with my mouth closed has become a real ordeal. I catch myself with my mouth wide open, close it and focus on my breath — my mind comes alive. I immediately start counting to ten and focussing the mind. If I can stop the “meditation warm up” I soon find myself breathing the “ujai” breath of yoga. “Ok, relax. Don’t try to control it.” Boom! My mouth drops open. I give up and fall asleep.

posted @ 9:37 AM

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