Controlling the breath is a prerequisite to controlling the mind and the body. Swami Rama

Issue: September, 2004

Publisher & Editor: Diane Peters Mayer

A. PeakSpeak

Welcome readers and new subscribers.

PeakNews offers a range of information about ring nerves, the ways to conquer it, and how to really enjoy competition, plus your stories, interviews, book reviews and more.

We send out hope that Ivan’s path will take it into the Gulf and miss Florida. Enough is enough already! I’m still planning to present a Ring Nerve Seminar in the Orlando area on Sunday, September 26th, hosted by the Orange Blossom Owner Handler’s Association, at Best Paw Forward in Sanford, Fl. If Ivan does get in our way, the seminar will be rescheduled. Please join us. Contact Cathy Nirenberg at: Cathy@geartogo.net for more information.

This month’s Training Tip features a new breathing technique that will keep you relaxed, energized, even when you’re running on an agility course.

Second Chances lists all of the animal shelters and rescue groups in Florida.

In BookPicks, we again review Science of Breath.

We’d like to remind you that along with your submissions we now accept photos of you and your canine companions . You can email them to: sheri@virtualhelpinghand.com or snail mail them to: Sheri Huffman, 2701 Creek Valley Dr., Garland, TX 75040.

PeakNews offers a unique format in which to engage and connect with handlers from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway and South Africa who, in some form, all experience “ring nerves.”

Your questions, comments, and stories enrich PeakNews immeasurably. Send us your submissions for the next issue by October 20th.

Please join us to become the handler of your dreams. Your dog will thank you!

Enjoy.

Diane

B. Training Tip Of The Month

Singer's Breath

The following breathing technique was taught to me by a friend who is a singer and voice coach. She says this method of breathing is easy to learn, will cut stress, increase endurance, and you can use it when you’re in a flat out run.

Just like you do in Yoga Breath (January, 2002) as you take in air, your belly will fill, and then it will contract when the air is exhaled. The two big differences in Singer’s Breath are: 1) you will be breathing with your mouth open, and 2) you will not pull or suck in air, or force it out.

Exercise:

1. Sit in a chair, feet flat on the floor, hands rest in your lap.

2. Relax your head, neck and shoulders.

3. Keep your mouth open and jaw relaxed.

4. Practice flexing your lower abdominal muscles (they are right below your belly button), and squeeze out a little puff of air.

5. Relax your lower abdominal muscles, open your mouth, relax your jaw, and let the air flow in--do not pull it in. When you do this the diaphragm relaxes and creates a vacuum--allowing the air in.

6. Now squeeze the air out again by lightly squeezing your abdominals.

7. Again, relax your abdominals and let the air flow in.

8. This breathing should be done without strain. No gulping of air. You’ll take in just enough air to fill the vacuum, then release it.

9. Here’s the “P” word again – practice, practice, practice.

Like Yoga Breath, Singer’s Breath will make you feel relaxed and centered and energized. Do use Yoga Breath for deep relaxation, but switch to Singer’s Breath when you’re competing, even in an agility trial.

C. Second Chances

Listed below are all of the animal shelters and rescue groups in Florida. They are in great need trying to help animals displaced or abandoned due to hurricane damage. Please donate whatever you can.

Florida Animal Shelters by City:

Have a rescue story? Want us to feature your favorite shelter or rescue group? We all want to read about it. To submit, write to us at CAYPNews@aol.com.

D. BookPicks

Science of Breath by Rama, Ballentine, Hymes. Himalayan Institute Press, 1998 It is still the best book on the importance of breathing patterns for optimal mental and physical health. Breathing exercises included. A small text with big ideas.

Be sure to check out our recommended reading list.

Have a book you loved? Write a review, and send it to us at CAYPNews@aol.com

E. Announcements & Coming Events

Sunday, September 26, 2004, Best Paws Forward, Sanford, Florida

Saturday, December 4, 2004, NOMAD Agility Club, Burlington, Vermont

Sunday, January 23, 2005, Salisbury Kennel Club, Salisbury, Maryland

Contact Diane at CAYPNews@aol.com for more information.

JOIN our Yahoo Ring Nerve Group

This list discusses my book Conquering Ring Nerves: A Step-By-Step Program for All Dog Sports. We have Q&As and share ring nerve experiences and successes. We also feature chats with dog writers, competitors and others. This is a wonderful forum for talking about ring nerves.

Click to join now!

CAN'T make the Seminar? Join the hundreds of handlers who have STOPPED RING NERVES FROM HOME with our Audio Ring Nerve Program for All Dog Sports, with Training Manual.

• Great Exercises & Techniques.
• A Super Quickie Stress-Buster.
• Guided Imagery to mentally rehearse your perfect performance.
• Terrific Training Tips.

This program will help you do it!

The Audio Program & Manual is $29.95 plus $6.00 S&H in US. (PA residents add $1.80 sales tax). International add $10.00 S&H.

To read more about it or purchase by check or secure credit card online, please click here.

or call Diane at 215-348-8836.

READ Diane's monthly column Conquering Ring Nerves in AgilityAction.com, the new online Agility Magazine from Laughing Dog Press.

For more information email laurie@laughingdog.press.com

And if you don't have it yet:

Conquering Ring Nerves, A Step-by-Step Program for all Dog Sports By Diane Peters Mayer, M.S.W. Conquering Ring Nerves is designed for competitive dog handlers, from novices to seasoned veterans who experience mild to severe performance anxiety. Featuring mind-body exercises and techniques from the Competing At Your Peak Ring Nerve Seminars, plus chapters on Self-Esteem, Making Mistakes and Creating a Safe Mental Space, and more. Illustrated with real-life handlers’ stories and packed with training tips, Conquering Ring Nerves will help you to ease your anxiety and compete at your peak under pressure. Published by Wiley/Howell Book House

To order from Amazon.com click here!

If you enjoyed PeakNews we invite you to share this link with other handlers who you think might benefit from it.

Thank you! See you next month.

**Note: Columns may vary from month to month.

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