Breathe Right to Stand Right

What Does Breathing Have to do with Posture?

EVERYTHING! In fact, the diaphragm is one of the most important postural muscles that we have. So many of us take such shallow and rushed breathes that we never allow our diaphragm to fully open our torso. Without that expansion in the rib area, we can never achieve truly great posture.

A lot of complicated articles have been written about the details of respiration, but it's not very complicated at all. We all breathe, we just need to learn to breathe better. Getting more oxygen into our bodies is one of the easiest and most beneficial things that we can do for our posture and overall health.

The diaphragm runs from one side of your ribs to the other, along the upper abdomen. When it contracts, the pressure in your lungs changes and you inhale. When it relaxes you exhale. Like your bicep, tricep, or hamstring, your diaphragm is a muscle. It responds to training just like the others do. So, let's learn how to train it.

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Now find the bottom of your rib cage with your fingers. This is where your diaphragm is. As you inhale, feel how the ribs separate. As you exhale, feel the ribs come closer together. In this position, try to make each breath deeper and longer than the previous breath. This creates an internal stretching. Continue with this exercise for 5 to 10 minutes. You will start to feel very relaxed. Deep breathing triggers a relaxation response from your entire body, and is very helpful for your overall health.

If you ever start to feel light-headed, don't worry. Just stop the deep breathing for a few minutes and resume normal breathing. Your body just isn't used to the new demand that you're asking it to do. This is all part of the training process. Soon, you'll be able to breathe deeply without even thinking about it.

You stretch your outer muscles before and after you workout, and now you know how to stretch your diaphragm. I would recommend doing this exercise twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. You will be amazed at the positive changes. You will feel better and you will be helping your posture.

In Health,
Chris Janke
www.FSTworkout.com