Years ago, when I was playing my R&R flute quite a bit, I noticed that after a while when I’d feel light-headed (semi-hyperventilation), if I’d drink a glass of wine it would have twice the effect on my brain…now that really messes up the equilibrium!(I’m not saying it’s bad either)
Ever notice swimming is a great way to increase the vital capaity of the lungs. I noticed a real difference when I first started long distance swimming. (psssst-I left the flute on the shore!)
Hi Lorenzo,Pleased that you left the flute on the shore-I had visions of you using it as a snorkel! 
In “Timber: The Flute Tutor” by Fintan Vallely, he lists swimming and sit ups as two exercises that help the lung capacity and breathing.
In view of the above thread on levity, I feel it is my duty to point out that if you had a polymer flute you could not only swim long distances but also play the flute simultaneously - therefore increasing your aerobic exercise many times over…
Seriously though, anything that improves aerobic exercise capacity like swimming, jogging, etc. will help.
Swimming is a big help–maybe partly
because you often are taking breaths
and holding them. Also exhaling
underwater. The breath
needs to be controlled; you can’t
pant while swimming the crawl without
drowning.
Sit ups definitely strengthen the diaphragm,
especially lots and lots of situps.
I’ve found that good mind body coordination can occur with simultaneous practice of:
flute playing
smimming
smoking
sit ups
Do 'em at the same time and improve your mind.
after you’ve played the GHBs, all else pales in terms of lung capacity. 
dave
Actually, when I saw the thread title, I had visions of you taking the flute out for a swim, followed by a nice sociable drink…
I guess I’m not as awake as I’d like! 
D
I guess the title is a little misleading. I swear I’ve never used my R&R flute as a drinking straw, not have I ever ventured to take wine with me on a xc swim.
I do like the Polymer flute idea for a snorkel. I use to take my tin whistle with me…until I got harassed from the Bald Eagles and Osprey. With fins on, and back against the water, you can play tunes, still move pretty fast, and watch out for for big birds…all at the same time.