RE: [Harp-L] Lung capacity

[Jonathan McAnulty <mcanultj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In some of the examples in this thread, such as with free divers, much of 
the effect seen is actually due to an increased ability to reduce oxygen 
consumption through efficient use of muscles. I spent many years free 
diving and although I do believe my lung capacity increased, my ability to 
go to and stay at depth was much more due to an increased ability to reduce 
oxygen consumption. Hyperventilation beyond mild efforts can be damned 
dangerous in free diving (shallow water blackout). Similarly, 
preoxygenating by hyperventilation, as in the running example, attacks the 
same problem by loading oxygen. However, I don't think either of these 
relate much to harp playing. For increased lung capacity you would need to 
increase the volume of air you can move which is an increase in vital 
capacity. Two things that I haven't seen mentioned yet (maybe I just missed 
it) to improve this are both good posture, which opens up the chest, and 
doing yoga, which also trains you to open up your chest area and control 
your respiration. Yoga has pretty remarkable results in this respect. These 
two, coupled with deep breathing exercises go a long way to increasing 
vital capacity and breath control.
my $0.02
Jon