Your ribcage is shaped like a bell or a birdcage, narrow and rigid at the top, wide and flexible around the bottom circumference. Unlike the bell or the birdcage, your ribcage has a stretchy powerful muscular floor (the diaphragm) that plays an incredibly important role in your respiration.
The upper cage is small and tight with the higher short ribs anchored directly to your breastbone. Don’t be fooled by the width of your shoulders! Gently poke around and you will find the actual cage just below your throat isn’t much wider than your hand is long. I regard the upper cage as a kind of additional reserve tank to be used primarily when you are moving fast and you need more oxygen than the main (lower) tank can provide.
Unfortunately, we tend to “shallow breathe” when we are tired, bored, stressed, or glued to the computer for long hours. When you use your “emergency” tank as if it were your main tank, you are forced to expend lots of energy for few rewards. Fewer air sacs in the upper chest mean less oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange. Rigid upper ribs mean less pumping action.
Be well. Breathe beautifully.
