After awhile, you brain accepts and records your constricted breathing and poor posture as the norm. Once a brain-map is in place, the body will return to that path of least resistance unless you make a conscious effort to do otherwise. The Open Cage is a chance to get some easy oxygen, to stretch out your spine, to fan open your ribs and to re-map your brain as to ideal posture and efficient breathing.
1. Lie on your back across a bed with your knees bent down over the edge of the mattress. Let your lower legs and feet dangle toward the floor (about hip-distance apart). Hold one wrist with the opposite hand (elbows bent). Your hands will be a few inches above the top of your head with your palms facing the ceiling. If they don’t drop down easily on the bed, prop them up with a pillow.
2. Breathe slowly and deeply without any attempt to manipulate your breathing. Just be aware. Notice how much more air you are taking in when your ribs aren’t scrunched down against your delicate lungs.
3. When you finish, roll over slowly onto your side and push yourself up with your arms and hands.
Be well. Breathe beautifully.
1 comment:
So useful and practical. For those of us who don't always read directions the illustration is a bonus. Having had impaired breathing from flu/cold or whatever I just finished this exercise and intend to visit each day for another "fix" and life long lesson. I found a couple of the ads to be useful. I'm starting 2009 off right with a Breathing Deep Exercises and Useful Ads beginning with this first lesson. Thanks to you, Diane Neuman, I will be breathing beautifully.
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