5 Points for Correct Abdominal Breathing

5 Points For CORRECT  ABDOMINAL BREATHING  

This can be one of the most fundamental exercises towards building the base for effective thoracic spine efficiency.  Specifically, if we focus our breath to elongate the  upper abdominal muscles, we will effectively elongate the muscles that inhibit the thoracic.  This will only be possible if we set in a neutral spine first.  

Since the lower abdominals already have an inclination of elongating, they will be the automatic default abdominal breath zone.  However, if we put the spine into a neutral position prior, this will inhibit the lower abdominal muscles from going into an elongated position.  Once the lower abdominal dysfunction is addressed, the upper abdominals will be the only  muscles capable of elongating during the belly breath.

1.THORACIC EXTENSION 

Even if it is mild, try to build in some thoracic extension when doing this exercise. If the thoracic is in an extended position, it will promote less shortening in the upper abdominals,  enabling elongation via reciprocal inhibition.

2.UPPER ABDOMINAL STRETCH 

When we set in a neutral spine to start the abdominal breathing process, it forcibly puts the lower abdomen in a position where it has no ability to stretch. This is what will enable the upper abdominals to get a stretch and allow for better thoracic extension.

3.NEUTRAL LOWER ABDOMEN 

By incorporating lower abdominal shortening via the use of PPT, this will now limit the elongation of the lower abdominals.  

4.NEUTRAL LUMBOPELVIC REGION 

Be sure to keep the lumbopelvic region in a neutral position. This will secure a base for the thoracic region to extend, lower abdominals to shorten, leaving an upper abdominal region to get a proper stretch.

5.FUNCTIONAL ABDOMINAL STRETCH

 After the spine has been set into a neutral position, an abdominal breath will now place a focused stretch on the region of musculature that limits direct expansion of the ribs.