The shape change of breath

This thought seed comes from a conversation I had recently with a student about breathing.

I am so deeply grateful to have your trust and confidence. I love it when you tell me what is going on with you, when something we've practiced doesn't work for you, is confusing, or is something you strongly dislike. These honest communications light a fire in my mind, heart, and imagination. (Don't get me wrong, I also love hearing what has worked well for you, and what new discoveries you are making for yourself.)

So breathing, it's a big deal that happens to us every minute of every day of our lives. Emotions are translated through the breath, and we have many sayings about breathing (it took my breath away, with bated breath, etc. There's a million of them, I won't bore you by writing them all down).

For some people, focused breathing can provoke feelings of anxiety and fear. I believe (and I certainly can be wrong and I would expect that you will tell me if I am) that these feelings arise more readily when our breathing emphasizes air instead of shape change or movement.

Breath simplified is shape change and for the thoracic cavity, volume change that is initiated by the diaphragm. The other larger-than-life support we have for breath is atmospheric pressure.

The diaphragm's job is to create space. When the diaphragm contracts, the pressure inside your lungs becomes lower than the air pressure outside your body. The atmospheric pressure responds to this low pressure space and pushes air into your lungs. Yay! You've been breathed by the earth!

A more relaxed place for you mind could be the feeling of movement and space in your body, especially back body movement and space. For many it's under-used breathing real estate. Remember that saying? It's all about location, location, location. Try putting your mind where you want your breath to move, on the space you are creating inside your body.

I will be cueing breathing from the perspective of space and movement. Let me know how it goes.

Sending love from my mat to yours.

Namaste,

Kathryn