Whenever you are stressed out, taking a deep breath will help you calm down. This week I will show you a diaphragm massage so you can take a deeper breath. If you practice yoga or meditation the deeper breathing is very important too.
Don’t do this right after eating because you’re pressing the stomach area. Wait until you finish digesting.
Diaphragm is a muscle located below the lungs behind the lower ribs in the front. It’s dome-shaped when it’s relaxed but when you inhale, it contracts and flattens to create a space for the lungs to expand to take in the air. If the diaphragm is tight, it doesn’t flatten well and it limits the expansion of the lung. So let’s loosen it.
Sit comfortably in a chair. Place your four fingers below the bottom ribs next to the sternum. Take a deep breath and exhale as you bend forward your upper body 45 degrees for 3 seconds. Slide your fingers outward to the center of the ribs and repeat. Take a deep breath and bend forward as you breathe out. Slide your fingers outward again and repeat. Take a deep breath and exhale as you bend forward.
Then on the side of the rib, place your four fingers and bend sideways one side at a time. Take a deep breath and bend to the left as you exhale. Take a deep breath and bend to the right as you exhale.
And there is no need to intentionally press because you are already pressing by bending your body. If there is any pain doing this, don’t do it.
There are many ways of breathing. When you breathe, use nose or your mouth whichever is right for you.
Enjoy a deeper breathing and taking in more oxygen in your body.
Massage Monday #564 Diaphragm Massage for Deeper Breathing http://bit.ly/mm-564