Breathwork: Depression, Elimination & Energy

The lungs are so much bigger than most people realize. They go from just under the collarbone to near the bottom of your rib cage and are mostly in your back body. When we stop breathing into the bottom portion of our lungs, our colon is effected due to its connection to our diaphragm, thus slowing our digestion and elimination. The lungs also store grief and sadness, so moving energy through the lungs can greatly benefit mental health. The lungs also feed our kidneys' vital energy, so the more fully we breathe, the more energy we have. I recommend spending at least 3 minutes a day on this practice.

PRACTICE: Place your hands on your back over your lower rib cage and invite the breath into your hands. Once you feel your breath there, you can remove your hands to avoid shoulder tension. It can help to lay down on your back or to sit against something to gain the felt sense of your breath moving there.

TIP: Invite your body to use air pressure instead of muscular force on the inhale and completely relax on the exhale. Take your time, allowing your breath to come to you. No need to force.

This practice pairs wonderfully with lateral breathing.