Effortless Posture Part 4 - Posture and Breathing

[@JodieKrantz]

Something I invite you to contemplate: Why is it that many of us find it so difficult to move the chest in and out during this lesson? And why do we not use the capacity of our chest more fully during our natural unconscious breathing cycle? The lungs themselves reside inside the chest cavity, so wouldn't the ribs always expand during inhalation? Sometimes they don't move much at all, limiting our energy and vitality as well as our posture. Part of the explanation is tension in the upper back, sternum (heart area) and rib cage, which is often a response to stress. This could tension could come from many different places. Here are some examples: excessive effort used to do every day things such as chopping vegetables, heavy activities such as moving large furniture and / or emotional stress such as habitual worrying or unresolved feelings about past trauma. All those kind of things can contribute to not breathing in the chest. I think another part of the explanation could be the way in which some of us have been taught that it is mainly the abdomen that should move during breathing. This is because some people use an 'upper chest' breathing pattern, over-activating the neck and shoulder muscles that are only designed to kick in when you physically exerting yourself to the maximum. But the chest can increase it's circumference during a breath in and this is not the same as lifting the upper rib cage with the neck muscles.

[@JodieKrantz]

Yes, beautiful Penthesilea. This is a common outcome when we try to control our bodies to fit a mental concept of what is 'correct'. To realize and overcome this limiting belief is a true personal triumph. Enjoy, and give yourself credit, because not everyone has the awareness to discover this! My Dad is 83 and after doing this lesson he could walk further without getting short of breath. Like you he had the experience that for years he had be breathing in what he thought was the 'proper' way. In Feldenkrais we learn to use a different part of our brain, the part that senses what feels organically 'right'. When it feels effortless and yet powerful and balanced you know you are in the zone. You learn to become the most reliable authority about your own body. Then you will no longer feel confused when different medical professionals give you contradictory advice.

[@discovermusicwithdanielle7859]

This series is just awesome, thank you! It’s taking awhile to feel the effects in regular life, but I do sense the gradual changes.

[@ТатьянаМануковская-г6м]

Hello everybody! Jodie is a wonderful, highly professional and very friendly trainer. Many thanks for the whole 4 lesons set on posture! Tatiana, Russia

[@JodieKrantz]

You are so kind Tatiana. And you have a beautiful name 🌷

[@ImpulsoCreativo9322]

This is a Godsend. When I can't sleep or feel stressed, this is so so so healing. God bless you so much. I know I've said it many times, but you have really helped me.

[@JodieKrantz]

😊 you are so kind Andrea, very happy to be helping!

[@ImpulsoCreativo9322]

@@JodieKrantz And please don´t forget your chin tuck video. Iḿ anxiously waiting as all other chin tuck videos only make me get tighter SCMS, which i don´t want

[@giulianam100]

Thank you for the beautiful lessons on posture

[@JodieKrantz]

Guiliana, thanks so much for your kind words 🌼

[@natalag3411]

This seems to go with Freeing Your Neck and Shoulders. Breathing is something we all do (that's why we're alive!) but we don't realize how we can get breathing to make everything more efficient. Thank you oh so very much for this and your other lessons. I will definitely visit this one more often.

[@JodieKrantz]

Natala G Thanks so much for your kind encouragement Natala, it means a lot to me!

[@darlenecarman7644]

Thank you so well taught! do you offer a lesson on side body breathing also?

[@jodie_krantz]

Hi Darlene, thanks for your acknowledgement. Do you mean breathing while lying on the side, or do you mean the sideways movement of the chest while breathing? I don't have either here on KZbin yet, but open to suggestions. Warmly, Jodie

[@JodieKrantz]

Not yet but I will keep you posted! Thanks Darlene

[@burakgercekk1760]

this is magical what ı needed thank you very much!!

[@JodieKrantz]

Burak Gercekk, so glad to hear and thank you for your kind comment:)

[@lyndseyknight9278]

Thanks Jodie - I've learned so much the last 3 or so weeks and this (and your other videos) helps to reinforce and remind me of what to do - and what not to do!! :)

[@JodieKrantz]

Lyndsey Knight that's so good to hear. Life is a wonderful journey and I never stop learning ❤

[@cinmac3]

I feel my brearhing lack of breathing helped injure my back, but, it's still sore when I did this, but I hope to get it all back, my talking( speach) is very hard too do, and it not very understandable either. What's next for me to work do you think, Jodie.

[@JodieKrantz]

Cindy, you might like to try this one kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGjRn4GiodCSnqc

[@cinmac3]

One more statement, Jodie , do you knowyou have this video twice in this playlist!

[@JodieKrantz]

Thanks for letting me know Cindy! I'll sort it out when I get home from Rottnest Island!

[@cinmac3]

@@JodieKrantz there is more i saw more repeats in a more in others i was listening too Do you need me to print that out to you, when i see it.

[@JodieKrantz]

@@cinmac3 yes thanks Cindy

[@cinmac3]

Yes it is Difficult. lying down there, when i stand my lower belly usually gets very tight, i had a brain injury years ago, many people with brain injuries do have anger issues, it jight be a memory thing thoughts in your experience is welcome, give it your thoughts they will be appreciated ? thanks, Jody.

[@JodieKrantz]

That sounds like a useful insight. The first step to change is recognising the pattern is habit that may no longer need serving you

[@cinmac3]

i do realize that, but, i do this, somatics,feldenkreist and some of AT, trying to learn and develope new habits,its not easy,but, i hope to hold a better future, i was believing more of the myth of aging, but, as menopause hit, i am feeling less hope, but...... I did sometging to my left sore shoulder having my right rib very sore even this movement was difficult. i a few more but ?

[@JodieKrantz]

@@cinmac3 getting older can be difficult, there is no doubt about that. Pay attention to the part of yourself that watches the pain. Pay attention to the parts of the body that don't hurt. And sometimes just pay attention while gently letting go of the need to fix, correct or heal anything

[@cinmac3]

hi Jodie, my thoughts are dangerous. why are you here if i not here to fix, i have trouble., walking and talking i never thought i had to fit anything, until pain hit and this garbled speach in breath. i will work on this when i have time, thanks

[@eugeneano285]

Interesting variations. Some just show one way. In your case I can experiment, observe.

[@JodieKrantz]

@eugeneano285 glad you found it helpful and interesting ❤️

[@ImpulsoCreativo9322]

I've been working on belly breathing. But I've also heard that it destabilizes your spine. How much truth is in that? For example, I have tried doing valsalva breathing while doing squats and I don't like it. It made me very nervous like thinking it was lots of pressure. But I hear a lot about exhaling on the exertion part of an exercise. How do you do belly breathing without it destabilizing the spine?? Curious and always wanting to learn more!

[@JodieKrantz]

Hi Andrea, sorry that I didn't respond to you sooner, somehow I missed your question. Moshe Feldenkrais and taught that there is no correct way to breathe. Instead, listen to what makes a movement like squatting feel easier and more efficient. No wonder you felt strain when doing valsava, that would put pressure on your pelvic floor. Try squatting as you breathe in and let both your abdomen and chest expand. Breathe out as you come back up. Repeat this several times, then try the opposite. In other words breathe out as you squat and in as you come up. Which works best for you? When you work this out for yourself that is true learning. You learn from your own experience rather than just imitating others

[@JodieKrantz]

Re: belly breathing potentially destabilizing the spine, this seems to imply that there's only one pattern of use of the body that goes along with belly breathing. Body movements such as squatting are complex actions. Spinal stability depends more on maintaining alignment than on breathing. So called experts in many fields offer opposite advice when it comes to breathing. So again I recommend do what feels best, easy, comfortable and efficient. Become the master of your own body through cultivating awareness

[@ImpulsoCreativo9322]

@@JodieKrantz thanks for thinking so hard and giving me a beautiful answer. So potentially you could bellt breathe all day long while doing your normal activities and be fine right? A baby belly breathes as they play all day!

[@cinmac3]

Do you have a though one condensed. all the different parts, causes me. more anxiety, i don't like it, but, thats the truth. Jodie.

[@JodieKrantz]

Thanks for sharing that Cindy, could you please explain a bit more about what you'd like? Sorry that the lesson is causing you anxiety

[@JodieKrantz]

It's true that this lesson can be confusing. I'll look for a way to simplify it

[@cinmac3]

@@JodieKrantz thanks i don’t know why, bad habits? Any way my waist obliques hips are very sore and a very hard belly that protrudes menopause i don’t i saw a lengthening on the you tube, i will give it a go , any suggestions that might pop in your bead please share

[@cinmac3]

i forgot ribs.