Straightjacket breathing
In this exercise, I replicate a straightjacket effect by embracing myself and intentionally limiting my lung expansion. The exercise simulates restricted breathing.
How I exercise ‘straightjacket breathing’:
Directives:
- I sit comfortably with a straight back, relax my tongue and jaw, and close my eyes.
- Hug myself, with my arms crossed and my palms resting on my
- Reset my breathing if needed.
- Breathe, as in 3-part breathing, exclusively through my nose.
- Inhale fully, in 3 parts, against my arm’s resistance.
- Exhale deeply in 3 parts.
- Hold my breath and turn my body from side to side.
- Repeat for a few rounds.
The self-hugging, with my hands half-circling my upper body, creates resistance that makes it challenging to inflate my ribcage. This resistance serves to strengthen my ribcage and chest breathing muscles.