Deflation

Picture a large red balloon floating in front of you. The surface is stretched so thin that the light shines through. Balloon tension is good. Human tension? Not so much.

With a little practice you can use the balloon image and your breathing to release physical tension at will. Deflation is a relatively easy exercise since it is based on the natural exhalation phase of your breathing cycle.

Since you never stop breathing 24/7, Mother Nature designed each exhalation as a mini-rest. To inhale, the muscles between your ribs (intercostals) cause the ribs to flare slightly up and out. The muscular floor (diaphragm) stretched across the bottom of your ribcage flattens downward. This muscular movement creates enough of a vacuum in your chest to draw in new air.

Exhalation happens when all these muscles relax and let go. The ribs drop down again. The diaphragm rises to its domed-up natural resting position in the ribcage. The slightly smaller chest cavity pushes the stale air out. Inhalation is work. Exhalation is letting go.

You may be surprised at how much physical tension you have been carrying. After awhile tension begins to feel normal. Use the balloon image and imagine that each time you breathe out, you are releasing tension from your body along with the outgoing air. After a little practice release of deep tension will take only a few breath-cycles. Just imagine that you are releasing air from a balloon.

Be well. Breathe beautifully.