Breathtakers

Swimming

Swimming is a life skill and is accessible for some people for whom other forms of physical activity are difficult - those with mobility problems for example and those who want low impact exercise. Most pools have specialised equipment to help disabled swimmers in and out of the pool if needed.
Swimming encompasses a wide range of activity, fun sessions, aquafit, water circuits, synchro, water polo or mini polo, as well as swimming lessons. Individuals can swim alone or through informal or organised groups, families can swim together, swimming is an activity for all ages.

A word of warning about Chlorine. Chlorinated indoor pools can exacerbate breathing difficulties, especially where there is poor ventilation or enclosed tubes and flumes. Some pools use alternative chemicals to chlorine and it is best to check  before swimming which chemicals are being used.

Trampolines, Mini-trampolines and Space hoppers

These are fantastic fun and can be used at many levels of ability. One jump or twenty it doesn't matter and better still it helps to loosen that stubborn mucus from the chest without you even noticing!!!

Yoga

Yoga is gentle form of exercise and seeks to promote health and well-being through physical exercise. Regular practice and breathing exercises  makes the body strong, supple and healthy. It has a profound effect on the circulation and on the functioning of the inner organs, glands and nerves, helping to keep all systems healthy and leading to greater energy, better concentration. Many common physical ailments can also be improved through the regular practice of yoga, and it is never too late or too early in life to take it up. Anyone can practice yoga.
In addition to practicing the poses, yoga classes may also include instruction on breathing, call and response chanting, meditation, or an inspirational reading by the teacher. The variety and amount of this will depend on the individual teacher and the yoga tradition in which they have trained. Typically, a yoga class at a gym will be more focused on the purely physical benefits of yoga, while one at a yoga centre may delve more into the spiritual side. Some people find that the physical practice of yoga becomes a gateway into a spiritual exploration while others just enjoy a wonderful low-impact workout that makes them feel great.

There are some toddler yoga classes available in some areas now as well as for older children/adults.

You can purchase a variety of instructional yoga dvds and exercise mats if you want to practice at home rather than joining a class.

To find out more about yoga and a class near you go to www.yoga.co.uk

Wii Fit Boards

Wii Fit boards are a great way of encouraging fun exercise at home. It can all be taken at your own pace and you can slowly build up strength and muscle tone. The Wii Fit includes balance games, aerobic exercises, muscle building and yoga. Its something the whole family can enjoy together, it is not weather reliant and is great for building self confidence.

Physical education at school can be challenging for children with Obliterative Bronchiolitis (OB) but it need not be impossible. Exclusion is damaging and with a little support and imagination ways can be found to allow your child to join in. Talk to your child's teacher and agree some strategies, they may be nervous or unsure as to how much activity is feasible for your child. Children can participate at many levels, they may not be able to run in the rounders match but perhaps they can bat, they may not manage a netball game but perhaps they can practice ball skills, they might keep the score, help with the organisation or even just be there to support the team. Being included raises your child's self esteem and confidence.

If you have had any good/bad physical education experiences please let us know via our Contact Page or email lynne@breathtakers.co.uk

Golf 

Ever since Tiger Woods picked up a club, kids have gone crazy for golf.

Unfortunately golf often gets pigeon-holed as a game for rich kids, but that is simply not true. Golf is a game the whole family can enjoy and for children with OB it can be ideal. You can play at your own pace, for as long as you like. Just going to the driving range can be fun where you can practise hitting golf balls without the pressure of playing a full course.

You can consider enrolling for private lessons at an academy. You can always get a golf cart to get around the course if it's too far to walk, most courses hire them out. Golf burns off calories, builds up muscle strength and research suggests that it is just as strenuous psychologically as it is physically.

Children are taught to be patient and apply control, which inevitably translates elsewhere in their lives. Golf is very achievable with OB when other more aerobic sports are not suitable. Even the local pitch and put is fantastic fun and helps build self esteem. Give it a try!!

Indoor Wall Climbing 

Climbing is a unique sport which delivers exciting rewards, both physically and mentally. Its great because it's indoors so no nasty winter weather for OB sufferers and you can take it at your own pace doing as much or little as you can manage. There are lots of indoor wall venues around the country and it's a relatively inexpensive hobby as most venues provide all the equipment you require.