Previous:
Next:

Let a corkscrew show you how to breathe freely and stand tall

A corkscrew with arms that pull the cork up when the arms are pulled togetherAs you surely know, your biggest breathing capacity is in the expansion and contraction of your lower ribs, not your upper ribs. These lower ribs move out and up to breathe in and they move in and down to breathe out.

So far so good. The problem is that most people squeeze their breath out forcibly. They pull their ribs down hard to breathe out. Doing this, they also drag their spine down, causing it to buckle — and they lose height.

Could this be part of your problem? Most probably, yes.

Starting from this shortened and buckled spine, what really needs to happen on your out-breath is for your ribs to angle in without dropping any further than they already have. If you really do that, your spine will be forced to lengthen up to accommodate your new rib movement. Your spine will push up just like a corkscrew lifts and pulls the cork out of a wine bottle when you squeeze the handles.

The result is that you gain height, breathe more freely and take oodles of pressure off your neck, throat and shoulders.

Try it.

Spread the word:
  • Facebook
  • del.icio.us
  • email
Previous:
Next:

Further Resources

Here are some ways I can help you further.

Wherever you live

  1. If you’re not already getting my free weekly article delivered to your inbox, then go here to get it.   Subscribe to “Back in Action”  (It’s free)
    When you subscribe you also get to download “The Hows & Whys of Semi-Supine”. This free e-booklet is indispensable to anyone serious about strengthening their bad back (or further strengthening an already-strong back).
  2. Repoise is our membership site for people who are serious about improving themselves (and getting out of pain as they do that). When you join, you will:–
    1. Have daily access to me. Together we will work out what’s going wrong for you and how to fix it
    2. Learn from reading other Repoise members’ questions and following their progress as they work with me
    Find out more about joining Repoise here.
  3. I’m writing a book about my work. It will come out on the 1st December 2010. If you're getting the free weekly articles, I'll send out more details about the up-coming book as soon as the information is available.

If you’re in Liverpool (or can get to Liverpool)

  1. I’m also running Friday lunchtime group lessons. Go here for details.
  2. There’s nothing better than individual lessons. Ring me on 0151 708 6172 to talk to me about booking individual lessons. (Leave your number so I can get back to you).

If you’re further away and can’t get to Liverpool

  1. There’s still nothing better than individual lessons. Here’s where you can find a teacher near you in the UK or elsewhere
  2. I suggest you also do the things I listed above for everyone:–
    1. Read my weekly articles
    2. Get direct day-to-day guidance from me by joining Repoise.
    If you’re having plain Alexander Technique lessons from someone else, you still need to learn the Smiling Back Method of the Alexander Technique. You’ll get a lot more out of your lessons when you do.
Previous:
Next:
February 5th, 2009 in Breathing

2 Responses to “Let a corkscrew show you how to breathe freely and stand tall”

  1. Franis Engel says:
    21 February 2009 at 11:44 am

    The other surprising thing is your back can expand as you breathe. You’re three-dimensional! Saw this beautifully watching a woman play the viola de gamba with some stunningly effortless bow work.

    Reply
    • Philip says:
      21 February 2009 at 4:13 pm

      Three dimensional, precisely! That’s the tube principal that I’ve since begun to write about.

      Great to see you here, Franis :-)

      Reply

Leave a Reply