3 Ways to Notice Breathing
& breathing habits
As we are thinking about breathing this week, here are 3 ways you can notice your breathing…
Feel the air pass through the nasal passages as you breathe. Allow your awareness to focus on the feeling of the air moving through this space. Did you know your nasal passages go deep in your head, almost to the ear canal? Follow the breath as it moves through this space as you inhale and exhale.
Tune into rib movement. When you inhale your ribs move up and out. In fact, the 12 ribs on each side of your chest make this movement together. As you exhale, the same ribs move down and in. You will feel this particular movement the most on the sides of your ribs.
Wind, brass, and singers in making sound, notice the air pass through the mouth. Feel it move across the tongue, hard palate, lips on both inhale and exhale. Pianists, strings, and conductors use #1.
After paying attention to your breath, what do you notice about your habits? Have you found yourself holding your breath when you are challenged? Is inhalation effortful?
Be curious…