Directing your Breath

Dear Students,
Each moment in life requires a unique & different way to breathe based upon how you are moving, sensing, feeling & thinking. With this in mind, I created an  Awareness Through Movement exploration for you to experiment with this summer. The mini-lesson can help enrich the quality of how you engage in activities from quiet to vigorous ones, based on how flexible your breathing parts are.  It is designed to teach your diaphragm to move in many directions like a balloon. This can make your ribs become more malleable so you can move air in & out of your lungs more easily!  Discover how to change your rib-cage into a rib-basket by simply using your awareness & imagination to direct your breath.

Breathing Exploration:
During this lesson move gently into the position explained and stop where you feel most comfortable. Breathe as directed, in a natural manner using awareness and curiosity to guide you. After each movement sit back in your chair and rest before going to the next one. Have fun and enjoy! 
1) Sit at the edge of your chair and place your hands on top of your head with your elbows out to the sides. Move your head and elbows to the left and stay where you feel comfortable. In this position direct your breath sideways into the right side of your ribs, many times. Imagine your right lung expanding towards your ribs near your armpit, in the middle and near the lower ribs. Sense that when you inhale each rib on the right side moves further away from each other. Notice what happens to the ribs on the left side. Rest. Now try the same exploration on the other side.
2) This time, sit and hug yourself with your hands on opposite shoulders with your elbows crossed & resting against your chest. With your head and eyes, look down towards your belly, round your back and roll your pelvis backwards. Stop where you feel most comfortable. Direct your breath towards the floating ribs near your lower back area and downward towards your pelvic floor. Sense the ribs in the lower back area on both sides, widening on the inhale and narrowing on the exhale.
3) Sit and place your hands on your forehead with your elbows facing forwards. Look up with your head and elbows and allow your pelvis to roll forwards so your tailbone will face the back of your head. In this position, direct your breath towards your chest and upwards towards your clavicles. Sense when you inhale, your sternum from the inside of yourself moves away from your vertebrae between your shoulder blades.
4) If you want, I suggest to try other positions to explore breathing in.  Be creative & have fun making different shapes with your body.
5) Sit back in your chair and observe how your breathing has changed. Walk around and observe your breathing. Notice throughout your day how your breathing changes depending upon your activities, and your emotional and mental state of mind.

May breathing explorations give you more adaptability in your life & demeanor. Peace!
~Donna