Breathing Well

Dear Reader,

One of the magical things about breathing is that it mostly happens automatically. From the time we were born, air comes in and air goes out. Under special circumstances, we might need some assistance with the process. But, mostly, air comes in and air goes out.

Another magical thing about breathing is that we can intentionally make changes in how we do it. We can decide to inhale or exhale, or hold our breath. We can adjust the volume and the tempo of our breathing.

And then we can let go and let the process happen as it happens.

We can also deliberately improve our breathing. Over time, many of us develop habits or patterns of constraining the movement within our chests. We move as if our ribs are glued together, along with the shoulder blades, collar bones, and the sternum or chest bone. But if each of those bones can move about with ease, the lungs can expand to take in more air.

Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be hard work. We can use easy, gentle movements of the ribs, sternum, spine, and shoulder blades, to bring attention to what’s possible—not only possible but more pleasurable.

When we follow this exploration, other aspects might improve also—you might just find that sitting, standing and walking all become easier and more graceful. And, without a doubt, adequate oxygen is good for your brain too.

Coming up:

Weekly online Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement lessons on Tuesdays. Please note, no lessons on Tuesday, March 28. I’ll be taking a little breather.