THE DIAPHRAGM:

THE SPIRITUAL MUSCLE

Though people talk often about the diaphragm, that large domed-shape
muscle that functions as the floor of the chest cavity and the ceiling
of the abdominal cavity, they seldom have any real sensation of its
many actions. Through its complex three-dimensional vertical,
horizontal, and angular movements, the diaphragm not only helps the
body take in the oxygen it needs but it also helps the body rid itself
of so-called waste products. Through these same movements, a healthy,
well-developed diaphragm also helps to open and close the various
breathing spaces of the body, release muscle tensions in the chest and
back, support the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the
digestive system, and the immune system, and help us communicate
verbally from deep within. A poorly functioning diaphragm makes it
difficult for the breath of life to flow through us and express itself
in a free and healthy way.

Except for our very first inhalation at birth, when the diaphragm is
functioning well the in-breath, the taking in of the energy of life,
happens as a spontaneous reflex that occurs after a full exhalation.
When we empty our lungs of everything that is no longer necessary, we
are spontaneously and effortlessly filled with fresh air. Perhaps that
is one of the reasons that some teachers call the diaphragm a
spiritual muscle, and use the analogy of the diaphragm to explain what
happens when we learn to let go of the thoughts and emotions that keep
us imprisoned in our own self-image.

Follow your breath now for a few minutes, and pay special attention to
what happens as you exhale. Do you feel that your exhalation is
complete, or does it seem to stop prematurely? Do you try to grab for
air willfully at the end of the exhalation or does the inhalation
occur by itself in the form of a wave arising from the unknown? Just
take note of what actually happens.

 

THE CHILDHOOD BREATH

Think back to when you were a child. Unless you had asthma or some
other health problem, the power of the life force, your breath,
manifested itself in just about everything you did. Do you remember
the kinds of things you did then? In addition to jumping, running,
twisting, turning, swimming, dancing, skipping, hopping, wrestling and
all the other physical activities that help keep the ribcage, back,
and diaphragm flexible and loose, you probably also remember
hollering, shouting, and singing a lot--at least until your parents
and teachers told you to stop. Perhaps you were even told by your
parents or teachers that your voice was so terrible that shouldn't
even consider singing. This has happened with many of us, and the
results have often been devastating not just on the physical and
emotional level, but to the very core of one's self-esteem.

What your parents probably did not realize is that all of these
activities, including the constant use of your voice in many different
ways, were spontaneous developmental manifestations of the life force,
which awakened subtle physical and emotional perceptions, moving
through you and animating you. The movements and sounds also kept your
diaphragm flexible and strong.

Of course, under the influence of "education" and "socialization," you
learned to control or stifle these manifestations and live more in the
straightjacket of your mind, the world of thoughts, concepts, and
judgments, which gradually separated you in an artificial and
unhealthy way from the life and energy of your body. Unless you went
ahead and sang anyway and participated in daily physical
flexibility-oriented activities throughout high school or college,
activities such as dance, swimming, martial arts, and so on, the daily
demands on your diaphragm diminished, and, as a result, it ceased to
function in an optimal way.

Now close your eyes and imagine that you are a child again. Think of a
place and time when you really felt like you were able to be
yourself--a tree, a lake, a playground, a hill, a particular street,
wherever you felt most comfortable. Now in your imagination jump,
skip, hop, twist, turn, run, sing and shout for five minutes. Really
sense what that feels like. Notice how your breathing changes.

Now stop and go someplace where you enjoy being alone and try the same
thing--but this time not in your imagination but in reality. In full
awareness of what is happening in your body, emotions, and thoughts,
and for at least five minutes, let the breath of life move through you
as it will. Then check your overall sensation of yourself. How do you
feel? Do you feel more connected with yourself and the environment?
What about your breathing? Can you somehow sense the movement of the
diaphragm in your chest with each breath? Does your breath feel more
evenly distributed throughout your body? Just notice, sense, and enjoy.

Copyright 2007 by Dennis Lewis; authentic-breathing.com