Ben Sluzar Osteopathy

04/02/2025

It’s official! I am certified functional breathing instructor, and I could not be more stoked.

I already integrate lots of breath education, awareness, and retraining in my current practice, but this allows for more specific, science-backed and protocol driven ways to increase respiratory efficiency, improve CO2 tolerance and create better health and sleep outcomes all around.

Stay tuned for more details about my breath-specific offerings and how they may apply to you!

11/01/2024

I am consistently met with surprise when I mention that I work on babies osteopathically. “What do babies have to complain about?” people ask. “Aren’t babies born perfect?”

It is true, all babies are perfect! However despite their perfection, they can sometimes benefit from little help steering or ensuring their development is on an optimal physiological path, through gentle osteopathic assessment and treatment.

I have seen many uncomfortable gassy babies, many who may be struggling to meet some motor milestones, others who can't quite get their poops on track, to name a few, that have found significant relief from identifying the causes of their symptoms and receiving osteopathic treatment.

11/08/2023

Whether you have met me clinically or personally, you’ve likely heard me talking about the benefits of over .

In case you need another nudge from the universe to start becoming aware of your breathing and taking measures to ensure you are nose breathing, here is the worlds #1 tennis player .swiatek taking a practice round while mouth taping, something I practice every night when I go to sleep.

If this is shocking or confusing, I suggest reading the book Breath by to get started.

02/11/2022

Want to learn more? Stay tuned for more details on how to register for my WAKE UP YOUR FEET webinar where you will learn how conventional shoes turn our feet off, and what we can do to turn them back on!

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15/02/2022

TRIGGER WARNING 🚨
CONTROVERSIAL OPINION ALERT 🚨

Although it pains me to say, your (and my once) beloved bluntstones are likely contributing to improper biomechanics, leading to dysfunction in your foot, leg, pelvis and back. Traditionally designed boots and shoes like this disconnect us from feeling the ground beneath us and give us a whack of support that we really don’t need, telling our bodies to take it easy instead of stabilize. Also, they are .

Things to look for in footwear:
- wide toe box that’s shaped like a foot
- “Zero drop” or very minimal heel lift
- No arch support (we have muscles to do that)
- Flexibility to move as our feet want to

Things to avoid:
- narrow, symmetrical toe box
- heel lift
- arch support
- Rigid soul with little flexibility

“But they look so good! And they’re so comfy- and everyone has them, so what’s the big deal?”

Just because something is common, doesn’t mean it’s healthy/normal (need an entire post dedicated to this sentiment).

And once you put a pair of barefoot shoes (of any brand), you’ll realize what comfy really is! However, disclaimer, if you’ve worn typical supportive shoes (foot coffins) or orthotics your whole life, it will require a slow transition into something like barefoot boots, or shoes. Your local osteopathic practitioner may be able to provide some insight too.

Stay tuned for exercises that will help build barefoot tolerance and your natural foundation, and get rid of bunions, flat feet, plantar fasciitis and more!

26/01/2022

Horizontal versus vertical breathing. A beautiful (and PRACTICAL) tool! Check this great article out.

Even something as supposedly instinctual as breathing can go awry. But by the time you finish this article, you’ll be on your way to optimal breathing.

30/11/2021

14/10 TED talk. 5 stars. Please please watch (16 mins). A summary of most things regarding I have learned over 8+ years. Absolutely beautiful and informative.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bczm0RsIZUM

What is the most fundamental aspect of our survival and wellbeing that we most commonly overlook? In this inspiring talk, Joe DiStefano reveals the importanc...

05/08/2021

Was lucky enough to get some time in with after treating her human on a house call! What a CUTIE. I’ve always wanted to treat animals… maybe Abbi is throwing me a sign?

24/07/2021

A morning routine.

Something that (I hope) we have all heard the importance of by now. Whether it involves journaling, a cold shower, taking the very first ten minutes of wakefulness before reaching for the phone to check the email or socials, a meditation practice or a movement practice of some kind, having a morning routine helps set a positive precedent for the day, increases productivity, and can ease stress and anxiety.

Historically I’ve always struggled to maintain any form of intentional morning routine, until recently, when I learned of the 5 Tibetan Rites. They are a 2500 year old set of 5 movements, done 21 times, each day. They consist of taking the spine progressively through an alternating pattern of spinal flexion (paired with exhalation) and spinal extension (paired with inhalation). Ideally, (as per ), they are to be performed while breathing through the nose. Regularly performing them has been shown to increase lung capacity, which has been shown to be a key indicator for human longevity AKA lifespan. No wonder the I have read that Tibetans refer to the 5 rites as the ‘fountain of youth’.

They take about 15 minutes to complete, and because they feel incredibly natural but challenging simultaneously, they have completely changed the game in terms of my morning routine as I practically look forward to doing them.

Stack on some breathwork right before, and a short meditation afterwards, and you’ve got yourself a MORNIN’ folks.

Stay tuned for a more detailed post on how to give the 5 Tibetan rites a try for yourself, or google it and give it a go!!

13/07/2021

https://www.insider.com/breathing-workout-lowers-blood-pressure-better-than-exercise-2021-7?fbclid=IwAR0NleFcDMEEJDd_xlHgWo9Qo3k3YoxxSikGqKsgnQbqfSjNiNVi28fBqs0

Researchers found that people who used a device that worked out their breathing muscles had lower blood pressure after six weeks.

12/07/2021

Unsurprising but validating new research indicating using a specific form of restricted breathing techniques has a significant effect in reduction of high blood pressure.

The study used a device that caused a restriction of airflow when inhaling and therefore demanded more activation of the diaphragm, while slowing the breathing down. Amazingly, this can be done easily without such a device while also encouraging nasal breathing, which has its own benefits. It is known as Ujjayi breath (thanks to .malouin I’ve been using it in my yoga practice for years), where one slightly constricts the back of the throat, and breathes through the nose to hear a whispy, ‘throaty’, slow and controlled flow of air.

Try to experiment and feel around for it, and once you find it, inhale for a count of 5 seconds and exhale for another 5 second count. Repeat for 5-6 cycles and comment what you feel!

University of Colorado at Boulder. "5-minute breathing workout lowers blood pressure as much as exercise, drugs: 'Strength training for breathing muscles' holds promise for host of health benefits." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 June 2021. .

23/06/2021

Absolutely enthralled by the first couple chapters of by Richard Baxter. Equally excited to dive into ‘The Alf Approach’.

Both relate to and convey the deep connection between the development of the mouth (and related structures) to the rest of the body, and their potential effect on feeding, breathing, posture, and general function even throughout adulthood.

Look out for more posts highlighting more specific details about these connections! They are truly mind blowing.