Breathing Exercise No 2

Lower rib breathing

This exercise helps the rib cage to function properly and encourages  a correct breathing pattern.

1. Sit comfortably.
2. Place your hands over the lower ribs so that the tips of your fingers meet each other. The fingertips will be meeting each other in the midline between the lower end of your breastbone (sternum) and your navel. The fingers point  sideways towards the midline, not up nor down.
3. Breathe normally - do not take deep breaths.
4. Focus on your finger tips so that as you breathe in your ribs move your fingertips away from each other, and as you breathe out so your fingertips return and touch each other again.
5. Notice how much or how little your fingertips separate.
6. See if you can get your fingertips to be moved a little further apart by the movement of your rib cage - do this very gently.
7. Continue for 5 minutes.

Many people use their upper ribs when they breathe which is a sign of mental tension and postural stress. Upper rib breathing also puts a strain on the neck and upper chest. This exercise encourages the lower ribs to move more when you breathe and encourages better function of the thorax. It also improves your circulation and digestion.