4 Practices to Build Body Awareness

practice three — Breathwork

BREATHE. It is one thing we all have been doing since we were born. By now you are likely aware that your breathing changes whether you are excited or relaxed.

You may even have your own structured breathwork practices from years of yoga or similar. GREAT.

photo by Brett Jordan on unsplash

I want to add the anatomy and physiology of breathing to your toolbox of breathwork practices. This knowledge of how your body is working directly applies to the flow and cadence of exhalations and inhalations.

Hence, this longish geeky look at breathing.

DIAPHRAGM

’Belly-breathing’ is a misnomer. There are no breathing organs or apparatus below the waistline — fact.

purchased UGI on storehousemedia, with additional markings by author

Our breathing organs are our lungs housed inside our ribcage (thoracic cage) and above a circular muscle called the diaphragm. Our nostrils, mouth, and throat (trachea) are pathways for our breath. And these body parts are above our waist and most are below our shoulder girdle.