Belly or Chest Breathing

The question I get asked the most often about breathing is when you're doing deep breathing, should you move your chest or should you move your belly? This video explains it, not just by words but by showing you the difference.
Do you have a general question about breathing? Let me know in the comments!
Learn more at: maxstrom.com

[@Meruem442]

Ty for the video. Breathing through the chest feels alot better during meditation and now i know why 👍🏻

[@xpost92]

I’ve been holding my breath for years and I now have chronic upper body pain. I started out belly breathing but I realised that my ribs were frozen and the whole system was broken. Seems to affect everything from my serratus anterior to back muscles and particularly the scalenes. With this technique I can feel the whole rib cage softening and things starting to loosen up. I was very sore the next day because these muscles have been dysfunctional for so long. Lifesaver 🙏🏼

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Happy to help Jascha. Kind regards ~ Max www.maxstrom.com

[@aqin713]

Wow that second breath is amazing!

[@MoralesCorner]

We need to be thankful he released the air into the balloon, otherwise he would have provoked a hurricane that would have devastated the east coast

[@addy330]

Wow. I never heard of breathing this way before! I thought breathing so our stomach expands was the right way. I followed his example and the nausea I’ve felt the past day and a half has decreased to the point where I feel much better!!! Thank you. ❤️🙏🦋

[@MaxStromOfficial]

You are most welcome!

[@addy330]

@@MaxStromOfficial

[@MoralesCorner]

This was such a great advice

[@Mina-op5rc]

Thanks a lot. It was very helpful.

[@danielwhitney5981]

Your book "A Life Worth Breathing" is the best book I have ever read. Thank you!!! I practice qi gong/ tai chi every day and incorporate all I have learned about breathing. Breathing is key in my meditation and sensory deprivation flotation sessions. Again, thank you very much.

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Daniel, thank you so much for the incredible complement regarding my first book. I'm happy to hear that you are doing breath work in meditation and the flotation work. Excellent. I'm working on a new book now on the connection of the emotions with breathing and grief and how breath work can be an integral part of psychological healing in connection with others. It's not finished yet but I hope you keep an eye out for in the future. Kind regards, Max

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Thank you so very much Daniel. I'm so glad that my book resonated in your life. Kind regards, Max

[@TheMontydog33]

very very much looking forward to your new book sir thankyou

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Thank you very much indeed, Russell! ~ Max

[@mariag5306]

Thank you so much

[@wendyslittleprogram3984]

Thanks Max. I'd love to attend one of your Inner Axis classes one day. Please come to the North of England! My question - Have you always had that deep, resonant voice, or is it something you cultivated through all your practices?

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Thank you Papa. I often teach in London but have yet to be invited to speak in the north of England. If I am invited I would probably go. I have always had a resonant voice but it became more so through my breath work and also my sound work. Beginning of sound work in this context is to sing vowels for about 20 minutes a day. Kind regards, Max

[@worzal2008]

I actually would like to see a video where you teach breathing and show how you can increase you’re vocal tone. You’ve got the best voice on the planet.

[@krish8190]

So sir according to you which is best breathing for speaking belly or chest breathing

[@jamesoconnell30]

Max, at 3:15 are you referring to belly breathing or chest breathing? It sounds like you're giving benefits to chest breathing for core activation? Many thanks

[@MaxStromOfficial]

chest breathing for core activation. Best wishes, Max

[@elliepascoe5954]

Until I bought your book about breathing I never realised I was holding my breath. Thank you so much!

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Thank you Ellie. I appreciate your comment and reaching out.

[@erick7brian]

Holding your breathe unconsciously?

[@derpferdeflusterer3460]

I can literally hear that you are breathing the way we are designed to. May I ask you how such an important topic can be still controversial?

[@hakimdiwan5101]

I don't get what's the second breathing method is it chest breathing or something different?

[@Jakeboy_3334]

I do both

[@bettyholmes7641]

Any chance you can post a half hour breath Breath class for those of u who are injured or cannot stand ?

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Hello Betty, I suggest trying this video that I have on KZbin called Inner Axis 30. nearly all of the movements can be done from a chair. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ2lZ6V-bceWjM0 I hope this is helpful. sincere regards, Max

[@anuradha-fx8tt]

hello sir while deep breath i got hurt in backside.all tests results fine.can you tell me which excersise i have to do.thankyou

[@snrnsjd]

Mixed breathing = win win

[@thelonewolf4086]

Are deep breathing exercises good before bed? If so do you have a good exercise I can try? Suffering badly these days (have been for many years), in every aspect of my life, so I'm trying to rebuild myself from the ground up, which is a task I never imagined being so hard. Thanks.

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Good evening, I do recommend the 4.7.8 exercise to do in bed when you are ready to sleep. I suggest that you listen to my TEDx talk here and at the end of it I instruct on how to do this. Warm regards ~ Max kzbin.info/www/bejne/an3FZn9ji6qgaZY

[@user-tn8nn9mb9k]

Hello. Could you advice some exercises for rib breathing? I feel like i cant expend my ribs😟

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Hello, I recommend this video to help you go to the next step. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ2lZ6V-bceWjM0 warm regards ~ Max

[@sabirrathee6815]

Thank you so much for the video but can you please tell me when you breath in belly go out or in? breath out belly out or in? I'm confused.

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Good morning, when doing belly breathing, inhale - belly goes out from body - like filing a balloon, exhale belly draws in to body. Warm regards ~ Max

[@andreasanchez2815]

Is the second one chest breathing ???!!! Like left/ right nostril breathing in yoga ?

[@dou9413]

thanx sir i am from india

[@MaxStromOfficial]

You are most welcome. ~ Max

[@grantmail4112]

Are you breathing out or in? 1:47 and then showing us what air is still remaining? or breathing in and showing us how much air you breathed in? When I breathe in my chest expands and moves, but yours stayed the same.

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Hello Grant, I hope this finds you well. I shouldn't have one a black shirt against a dark blue background for this. This was a technical mistake. I'm getting more used to videos these days. The answer to your question is between 147 and two minutes I was inhaling very slowly. Then I blew up the balloon to show you how much air my lungs contained. My ribs did move considerably but you can't really see it on this video.

[@grantmail4112]

@@MaxStromOfficial Thank you, my main reason for watching and learning about breathing control.. is that I have noticed my lower abs always look bloated and extended more than they used to (I workout every day and the rest of my body is in shape and work my abs every day with sit ups and leg raises but when I relax my abs then look like I am carrying weight and bloat out). I put my hand on my belly as I was breathing normally and noticed I breath in and fill my belly will air (well its my lower lungs but my belly appears to fill with air as it extends as I breath in with each breath) But now I am trying to keep my abs in and only breath and feel my upper lungs and chest fill with air.. as I am hoping this will allow my lower abs to learn to tighten and be flatter again. I think just being aware I was being lazy with my lower belly breathing, will allow me to notice when I am allowing my lower belly to expand as I breathe in... instead of my upper lungs. Thank you for your helpful video.

[@Work4Love3000]

So many yoga teachers and taichi teachers have said belly breathing is the right way because that's how babies breathe. But it never felt like anything and I don't want a Buddha belly if I can help it. So I saw your Ted Talk and it really made a difference just with 3 or 4 minutes of rib breathing (?). I felt more energetic and was tingling. So I'm looking forward to reading your book. It never made sense to breath into a part of my body where there were no lungs - except as a mental exercise.

[@MaxStromOfficial]

I appreciate your insight and logic. I often tell groups to notice that babies also pee and poop themselves, does this mean we should also do that? In all seriousness, it's a good point because a baby is undeveloped and has no need for really deep breathing other than for crying, expressing his emotions. But once a child becomes a toddler and begins to run around for one or two hours, you'll notice the child begins to get out of breath and the chest will start to move like an accordion. They will try to talk to you and have difficulty because their breathing so hard. Even as you read this, you are probably doing what we call belly breathing like the baby, because we need so little air to simply sit and listen or read. But once we do something aerobic, just needs to move. And when we become very fatigued, the mouth needs to open for a faster exchange of air in and out of the lungs. Once we are relaxing on our chair or lying down, belly breathing is once again suitable. Belly breathing is also good for alleviating fear and anger. But to alleviate grief and anxiety, I recommend breathing as I show in the video. thanks for watching and for your comment. I hope this is helpful. Warm regards, Max

[@fynnh.8460]

The spine of babies and children as well as their rib cage form and their positionality in relation to gravity is different in relation to adults. Functional transferences from the one to the other are, at least to me, doomed to fail. The idea of breathing like a baby because it is "the most natural" exists not just in Yoga but speech and voice therapy, too.

[@liannebenn2097]

The air doesn't go onto the belly 😳

[@venzinanairyani6386]

Should you breathe through the mouth, with tongue against roof of mouth, instead of through the nose?? And how do you exhale... through mouth or nose?

[@adamburling9551]

Nose

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Hello, I just saw your reply from two years ago. My apologies. To answer your question I have another entire video on this. These feel free to take a look at it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYLZnKFqrKlgi5o

[@rubykfalak9467]

You look like Anthony Cooper

[@narco7765]

im so confused can someone help me out? i thought chest breathing was a bad practice and belly breathing was better. if you google it , google will literally tell you to belly breathe and i cant find any article saying otherwise but then i come across this video and now im confused af. so should i belly breathe or chest breathe?????

[@vwerlg9954]

both... belly for relaxing, chest for something that requires energy, exercising etc

[@narco7765]

@@vwerlg9954 i already figured that out but thank you nonetheless

[@slyliezeroseven3696]

At the end of the day it really doesn't matter end result is all the same

[@MrTalkFit]

I belly breathe when i lie down and idle but when i stand up or walk its hard for me to belly breathe so i just chest breathe

[@AldenlinaEzio]

I practice karate and they say I need to use my belly to relax my shoulder. How can I incorporate this to karate?

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Well, if you are in a combat situation, and you relax your belly, if you are struck there you will be incapacitated. If you breathe into your side lower ribs as I teach, it will stretch the diaphragm fully. You will note that this will help you relax your shoulders. Perhaps your instructor is trying to teach you not to breathe in the upper lungs and lift the shoulder blades, which I 100% agree with. I hope this is helpful - Max

[@benacewoofstorm]

How can i get out of the habit of belly breathing?

[@MaxStromOfficial]

I believe that it is fine to do belly breathing while doing passive activities such as sitting in the chair or driving a car. And certainly while lying down to go to sleep. Only use the type of chest breathing that I demonstrated when practicing yoga, aerobic sports, and especially for relieving and alleviating anxiety. thank you and I hope you are well, Max

[@zkojani]

bring your mic closer

[@rammeharncert3647]

Which is best among belly breathing or chest breathing

[@MaxStromOfficial]

I am sorry, I am not clear on your question - what do you mean by among??? ~ Max Strom

[@rammeharncert3647]

@@MaxStromOfficial i am from india and i ask you , which is best breathing between belly breathing vs chest breathing

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Hello, the answer is not so simple. It depends on what you want to do, what you wish to accomplish and affect. For example, I recommend using belly breathing for most meditation practices, for doing passive activities such as sitting in front of a computer, driving a car, eating dinner, etc. It is also useful to become, when angry or fearful. The type of chest breathing that I demonstrate completely fills the lungs 100% allowing superior oxygenation of the body and brain with obvious physical benefits. But also in terms of the work that we do, it helps to release suppressed emotions that we have held for long periods of time, even decades. Doing this can the be the beginning of alleviating anxiety and panic attacks. This is a short version answer, but I hope it is helpful. Kind regards, Max PS: for more information go to my website: maxstrom.com

[@InternetMediaShorts]

So if normal breathing is using chest and deep breath is Belly your using am i correct? Is chest breathing okay or not? I wish you can notice me

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Hello, I am afraid you have it backwards. Belly breathing: normal activities that are passive or mainly passive. Some forms of meditation. To calm down from anger or fear. To fall asleep. Chest breathing as shown: Aerobic activities. The release of suppressed grief, anxiety, and depression. Thank you for asking. Kind regards ~ Max

[@InternetMediaShorts]

@@MaxStromOfficial can ask one more question again so Chest breathing is normal breathing but It's not technique breathing right and belly breathing is technique to change your breathing style am I correct?

[@InternetMediaShorts]

@@MaxStromOfficial so when you sleep your doing chest breathing right? Am just curious about the breathing

[@MaxStromOfficial]

Chest breathing as I show it in this video is a technique done consciously Belly breathing is generally subconscious, or are awake but you are not thinking about technique, the subconscios knows what to do. I have an onne course you may be interested in in my online store. www.maxstrom.com Kind regards ~ Max

[@InternetMediaShorts]

@@MaxStromOfficial so it normal to breathe in chest breathing every day because that how I breathing using my chest

[@pratikkafle4983]

POV: You all searched for how to breathe!

[@liyanareano4571]

Lol

[@HarumNasiku]

belly and chest 😭😭😭

[@brittsworld5662]

Ion get it smh

[@kevjo476]

He breathed with his tongongue touching the roof of his mouth.

[@Entertain.Enlight.]

It’s Called mewing

[@sz7011]

Is belly breathing = diaphragm breathing?

[@chimsloyalty3880]

Yes as far as I know

[@henryxiao7083]

Yeah isn’t that good? Many videos I see disagree with this man

[@MaxStromOfficial]

The term diaphragmatic breathing is often misused. All breathing requires the use of the diaphragm. The implication of belly breathing, so-called, is that it increases the diaphragm's movement. If you look at the way most people breathe while sitting slouched in a chair, it is absolutely true that sitting with a straight spine and moving the belly will enhance the diaphragm's range of motion. But it is also true that sitting upright and breathing the way I teach in this video causes the diaphragm to expand even further as shown in the balloon demonstration. I hope this is helpful. - Max

[@AB-hi2gz]

Le

[@bobmarley1686]

🤦🏼‍♀️