Understanding and Improving Breathing:
An Introduction

This teaching is understandable in light of the common tendency of people to "chest breathe". "Chest breathing" is shallow breathing, and people often do it when told to "take a deep breath." So, teachers instruct people to do the opposite: "belly breathing".

However, efficient breathing is more like the expansion of a balloon with the center at the diaphragm (solar plexus). It's expansion in all directions, not just expansion down into the belly. This kind of expansion gets more breathing room. However, it can't effectively be done by effort; instead, the muscular tensions that restrict breathing must be undone to free breathing, and then free expansion is easy, not a matter of self-conscious effort.

Somatic education exercises ( see bottom of page ) undo those muscular tensions -- not by stretching out tight muscles, but by removing the automatic tendency to tighten up. It's a kind of retraining process that, once accomplished, produces a lasting improvement of breathing.

Now, I'll describe breathing problems in more detail.

BREATHING PROBLEMS

People who inhale incompletely may have a hard, flat belly and ribs that are down and flattened in front. This flattening across the front comes from tight (1) abdominal and (2) intercostal (between ribs) muscles. These muscles, when chronically tight, (1) prevent the diaphragm from flattening and pulling air into the lungs and (2) reduce chest volume. (The dome-shaped diaphragm functions like a piston. When it contracts, the dome flattens and pulls away from the area inside the chest, sucking air in. It also lifts the ribs, something like the way a Can-Can dancer lifts her skirt.)

Tight shoulders encase the ribs and restrict breathing. Tight muscles of the shoulder girdle, attached to the rib cage, pull upon the ribs. Before the intercostal muscles (between the ribs) can function freely, the ribs must be free of the shoulder girdle.

Closer observation may reveal that in breathing, certain ribs move more than others. Areas over less mobile ribs often feel ticklish or sore. Such areas deserve special attention.

FOR PRACTITIONERS

A NOTE ON THE INTERCOSTALS

The intercostals do more than mechanically move the ribs in breathing; they also create the sensations of emotion and attitude. Their patterns of contraction create these familiar feelings.

When the intercostals contract the ribs in chronic sorrow, for example, we may find asthma. They may also chronically expand the ribs, in the posture of boistrousness and self-aggrandizement ("puffing oneself up") -- a possible compensation for feelings of inferiority or fear (which coincide with a contracted rib cage). The following sequences address both conditions.

In general, Hanna Somatic Education Practitioners do a special Breathing lesson only after they have done lessons that address the major contraction patterns of stress and injury.

SUMMARY OF STEPS:

1. Free the diaphragm.
2. Free the shoulders from the ribs.
3. Free the ribs from each other (intercostals)
4. Integrate rib and shoulder movements.
5. Free the upper ribs from the neck (scalenes).

1. Place your hands over (and gently ride upon) the client's belly over the diaphragm.

   Spread your fingers so they define the shape of the diaphragm; place equal pressure on each finger.

2. Client inhales, then exhales; meet, match, resist, and follow the movement in.

   Multiple repetitions will get you deeper.

3. Client holds their breath OUT (closes epiglottis -- the air-stopping muscle of coughing).

4. Client exerts the muscles of inhalation while keeping air out.

   INSTRUCT: "Now, you suck in your gut. . . Now, you push your belly against my fingers."

   Feel the diaphragm push out; meet and exactly match that resistance.

5. Client gradually, slowly, and smoothly relaxes. Assist movement of the diaphragm into the shape of a deep dome.

   Have the client rock their pelvis to aid relaxation of the diaphragm.

6. Client relaxes completely, then inhales.

   As your client inhales, lift off gradually. Coach them into filling fully.

7. Have your client take deep breaths and watch for what doesn't move.

   Move your hands there and repeat to a satisfactory result.

8. LOCK-IN: Have the client take and hold a breath. Have them force the ball of air back and forth between their belly and their chest.

Workshops in the methods of Hanna Somatic Education are periodically offered to members of the helping professions.

Lawrence Gold: