One of the most important types of breathing you can learn to do is belly breathing, AKA diaphragmatic breathing.
Your diaphragm is the internal muscle nestled at the bottom of your rib cage and looks a bit like a jellyfish – when you inhale into your stomach, it lies flat; as you exhale, it nestles up towards the heart.
One important function of this muscle is that it acts as a heating system for your body and keeps it at a perfect temperature.
This keeps your fascia at the perfect temperature and “melts” it, so it becomes flexible and healthy.
What is fascia?
The fascia system is a system of spider web-like connective tissue that binds together all the parts of your body, much like if you had a full body suit on. Many pains and injuries are connected to this system, therefore it’s crucial to your physical health and it’s largely affected by the way you breathe.
Yes, you need to move and stretch – this is when your body is most happy – AND, your breath and diaphragm play an integral role in the health of this system and your body.
The bottom line?
When you don’t use your belly to breathe and strengthen your diaphragm, your fascia can become cold and stiff, which can cause body pains, chronic pain, disease, and many other injuries.
Your diaphragm is also in charge of expelling and releasing old stagnant air and toxins.
The majority of your oxygen is stored in the bottom of your lungs, and when you don’t breathe through your diaphragm, the old stagnant oxygen and toxins aren’t expelled properly, and fresh oxygen won’t be properly replenished in order to rejuvenate the cells and nourish the body.
When you practice diaphragmatic breathing it strengthens your diaphragm, allowing your body to release toxins, keep the fascia system at a perfect temperature, bring in fresh new oxygen, decrease body pain, and overall, help your body function optimally.
Want to learn more about diaphragmatic breathing? Read this study here