Full Circle - 1 - Diaphragm in the Round
Calligraphy by ThIch Nhat Hahn
Full Circle - 1 - Diaphragm in the Round
Both Sides Now
Based on “Quadrant Breathing,” attributed (maybe) to Jeff Haller, GCFT®
“I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all”
I was originally going to call this series “Both Sides Now” but went with a circle to be more complete.
This series grew out a personal breakthrough: when feeling the full circle of the (chest) diaphragm, my back elongates and everything falls a bit more into place.
So here we go with a return to familiar lessons experienced through the diaphragm. And of course we start with breathing.
In the ‘quadrants lesson,’ the instruction is to breathe into the chest’s top and bottom, left and right ‘quadrants’. In this variation, we feel into the diaphragm itself, tuning into how this muscle contracts and releases from the front, sides and back. Feel down from the chest onto the ‘top’ of this amazing muscle as it presses into the belly on the inhale and releases upward on the exhale. Feel ‘up’ from the belly as the diaphragm lifts on the exhale and squeezes and massages the organs when we breathe in. And do it in the round.
Science Nerd Candy Bowl:
Ribcage Movement During Respiration : Will Larson (O:45) just what it says
The Movement of the Diaphragm - Anatomy Lab (5:15), frontal, side and back views of the diaphragm pulling and releasing the ribs
“For things to reveal themselves to us, we need to be ready to abandon our views about them.”
Set Up for Supine and Side-lying:
Lie on floor with support for head and legs as needed. You may want some extra under-head padding for a short, optional side-lying interlude
Sit on a firm, stable chair
How you might feel after this lesson: Longer; More open; Aware of your back ribs and spine; Connected; Calm.
If you have a Wednesday 9:30 am or 6:30 pm class registration, keep using it. If you were registered for the 12:00 pm Wednesday session, you’ll need to register. Registered, paid students receive the lesson recording link on Thursday. $40/month; $15/single lesson. PayPal or Venmo to jackisue@aol.com. Or check to Jacki Katzman, PO Box 116, Bethlehem, NH 03574
For new student registration, Click Here