Diaphragmatic breathing

Instead of going through all three stages in 3-part-breathing,  I may repeat only the first stage, mainly engaging my diaphragm. The diaphragm flattens when it gets to maximum amplitude after I finish inhaling. It returns to minimum amplitude when I complete the exhaling.

A trained and toned diaphragm muscle, expanding 360⁰ degrees, is like a well-tuned engine. When engaged, the bottom parts of my lungs flood with air; this is where I have the most efficient gas exchange. When my diaphragm expands 180⁰ degrees forward but does not open backward, the result is limited ‘flap diaphragmatic breathing.’ When it expands 360⁰ degrees, I breathe fully diaphragmatically. When breathing in this way, my abdominal muscles are relaxed and minimally engaged. The main advantages of breathing predominantly with my diaphragm:

  • I move air down to the most absorption-efficient area in my lungs.
  • Send signals of relaxation to my ‘breathing app.’
  • Massage some of my vital organs.
  • Encourage bowel movement.
  • Reduce the chance of clearing too much Carbon-diOxide from my bloodstream compared to 3-part-breathing.