Connecting with your breath can be grounding and very therapeutic. Slow, smooth, well coordinated breathing helps us down-regulate the nervous system, strengthens our core and makes the pelvic floor more responsive to the task at hand. Oddly enough, however, the simple act of breathing can get quite confusing and even frustrating once we start paying attention to the way we breathe. How can that be?
I find it gets less confusing when we realize that air and breathing are two different things. Air is what needs to get into our lungs where as an act of breathing is actually an act of movement that has to happen in order for the air to get into our lungs. Once we learn to sense the body parts that need to move to get air into our lungs, and tune into their beautifully coordinated movement, our breathing becomes way less confusing and way more efficient.
In this 10 min video I share some ways to feel the movement of our breathing parts. When these parts move well, our breathing can reflectively adjust to the type of the activity that we engage in. This type of breathing is called 3D breathing because of a three-dimensional movement in the ribcage, the belly and the pelvic floor. It helps improve mobility of the middle back, strengthens the core and encourages a more responsive pelvic floor. Learning and practicing it regularly will ensure that your breath supports you in the most efficient way wether you are resting, going for a walk, running, strength-training or birthing a baby.