Over the years I have often taught 'belly breathing' to those who were interested, but not quite sure about how to do it.

I have found the following proceedure to be very effective. I instruct:

1. Stretch out on the floor.
2. Place one hand on the belly
3. Place the other hand on the chest
4. Now breath is a way that raises your belly hand, while the hand on your chest does not move.

This is only one important aspect of deep breathing, but it provides an excellent beginning. Observers often learn that they are primarily 'chest' breathers.

If someone wonders about what is the correct breathing pattern, just suggest that they observe the rise and fall of a newborn's belly. And a newborne hasn't yet learned how to do things wrong!

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How does one learn how to breathe "wrongly?"

OK CC, oops, I mean RT, perhaps a bad choice of words on my part.

When I was a kid (I'm a old guy) boys wore pants with a belt. That condition was very restrictive in the abdominal region. Also, the prevalent posture expected was 'belly in, chest out.' This tended to make one breath more in the chest (shallow breathing). This was not true for little girls. You know, sugar and spice and everything nice and all that. And no need for chest breathing. Hey, maybe that is one of the reasons that women live longer than men. However, today we are tending toward a uni-sex world. How often do you see a belt on men and women are moving into the military. Maybe that life differential will change.

One thing is true, however: When asleep we all tend to breath more naturally. And breathing naturally tends to improve our blood oxygen level , which is a good thing I have been led to believe.

Good question. Probably due to stress, due to holding back or holding in emotions. I realized several years ago that I had developed a habit of holding my breath. I don't know why, but I do know that it was after many years of constant stress.

Right. Stress, fear, uncertainty all tend to lead one to hold breath.

Frequently I see some one in the weight room attempting to bench press all of the weight they can (or cannot) handle. If inexperienced they tend to hold their breath while pushing the weight up against gravity. That tends to make blood pressure soar, which, of course, can be fatal.

Gerry often brings 'breathing' up and, as is usual, he is correct.

I teach to hold both hands on the tan tien but agree one on the chest could be as good as although I find that the concentration goes where the hands are so (for me) it is easier to have 2 hands on the belly.
I remember years ago doing a workshop which included right breathing. One lady just couldn't get it she had always been taught that ladies always hold their stomaches in - I learnt a lot that day.
A baby breathes from the tan tien and as it grows it is constantly told what to do & NO etc. which affects your being. Consequently 'calm' gradually leaves the body resulting in a tensed posture - breathing higher up in the body and eventually a stooped posture. Just MO.

Haha, I for some reason noticed that I am a "belly breather" the other day and thought that I was breathing wrong. I spent some time trying to breath with my chest, and wondered why it felt unnatural. I honestly thought that maybe my anatomy was slightly abnormal.

Thats good that you are a belly breather..

one note of caution though.. for me, when i first learned this stuff, I got too caught up on the way I was breathing and starting worrying about it etc..

also remember, your not supposed to JUST breathe with your belly.. the ideal breath starts in the belly and then your chest expands as well.. You want as much movement/expansion as possible for a deep slow breath.

I find myself 'shallow breathing' at times, and when stressed, even holding my breath...not a good thing. When I'm out walking in natural surroundings, I make it a point to breath deep, although it's always a conscious effort.

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