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Breathing Vessel
Why it matters?
Ultimately, we don’t want to intentionally breathe…but “to be breathed” by the natural pulsing mechanisms of a flexible body.
When breathing in default to our fullest, our breathing vessel (or body) is open, flexible and supple. Our lungs are operating at their max capacity. There is no strain or struggle. The malleable bodies of small babies and children demonstrate this well: with full belly breaths happening without any intention of breathing well. They have sponge-like vessels that move like accordions to move air in and out of the body for optimal energy exchange.
As we age, and get increasingly tied to chairs or stagnant positions, so do our breathing vessels. That’s why part of breathing is also moving and expanding our systems so that we may draw in and expel full breaths.
How it works?
Stretched Lung: moving your whole body to expand lung capacity.
Decongested Nose: walking in place to decongest the nose.
Yogic Breathing: diaphragmatic training to improve ‘belly breathing.’
Examples
Stretched Lung
Decongested Nose
Yogic Breathing
Move your body and expand your lungs to exercise a healthy breathing apparatus.
Sources:
Freeing the Breath by Leslie Kaminoff
Breath by James Nestor