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From: Paul Goldstein
Date: 12 Oct 2011
Time: 22:46:56 -0500
Remote Name: 77.18.15.45
Thank you for a most interesting and informative article, and for your knowledgeable analyses. But I am somewhat surprised by what seems to me to be a major omission. Early in the article you define costal breathing as diaphragmatic breathing, and then go on to claim that such breathing techniques are almost entirely unknown in the United States. I beg to differ with this claim. The program at the Hollins Communications Research Institute (known for many years as the Precision Fluency Shaping Program) has included "correct diaphragmatic breathing", also known as the "Full Breath Target", as a major target in its program since the mid-1970's. This clinic has treated many thousands of people who stutter. Various other fluency shaping clinics in the United States (I know of at least three - in Norfolk [Va.], New York City, and the Boston area) have also used a nearly identical diaphragmatic breathing technique. Combined, these clinics have also treated many thousands of poeople who stutter. The Full Breath target has major similarities to the diaphragmatic breathing techniques you have described. It is commonly described along these lines: The inhalation is taken in (generally orally) by slowly and smoothly expanding the diaphragmatic region, while relaxing the vocal folds region and all articulators; the inhalation and expansion of the diaphragm continues until a comfortably full point; then without hesitation, and while maintaining relaxed vocal folds and articulators, the diaphragm is immediately relaxed for exhalation - with speaking beginning at this point, as the exhalation begins; the diaphragm continues to relax for exhalation until the relaxation feels complete; here the voice stops, and a little more air is released, following which inhalation begins again and the breathing cycle repeats. There do not appear to be significant differences between this approach and the approach that you describe. True, the Full Breath Target is only one of a number of major targets within Precision Fluency, but it is considered a central requirement for the successful monitoring of all other targets within the program. For about 16 years I practiced and monitored this particular target while I was an active user of Precision Fluency techniques. But thanks again for a very interesting article.