Coaching Corner: Are You Breathing?
By Master Coach Marilou Butcher Roth
There have been other posts where I have mentioned the benefits of breathing… full breaths that move through your body. And, recently, the beauty of breath has been presented to me in several areas of my life so I thought I would pass it on.
We as a society are shallow breathers. Some are more chest breathers, while others favor their bellies. Either way, being able to bring your full breath into your entire body will benefit you in countless ways.
Take a moment and notice how you breathe. Don’t take that deep breath at this point, just notice your regular breath and how it moves (or doesn’t move) within your body. Take note and get ready for the next task.
Lie on your back, let yourself get comfy, which probably means bending your knees. Now take that deep inhale, allowing your back to expand — yes, I said your back. Let your breath move into your back lungs and expand out to your sides. Your belly will automatically inflate; don’t worry, this is normal. As you breathe this expansive breath, your diaphragm will go up, which you most probably will not be aware of. As you exhale, let all of the oxygen out of your body, at which time your diaphragm will go down.
Be it my pilates teacher (who is my son), my physical therapist, or my mentor, learning to breathe in a beneficial way is well worth the focus you will need at the onset of this endeavor. Believe me, it gets much easier as you practice, and practice you must if you want to reap the full benefits.
Today, take a few minutes to follow the above exercise and see how it goes. Be patient and be easy, no forcing! Enjoy
