How the Body Breathes
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Various systems of yoga, bodywork, psychology, and self-help teach widely different breathing techniques, but they all rely on the same physical structures to move air in an out of the body. To get the most out of any breathing system, it is invaluable to know how these structures work and how to use them to get the effects you want. This audio archive will give you a firm foundation in the mechanics of breathing, including the dynamics of the lungs, airways, diaphragm, ribcage, the many muscles that move the ribcage, abdominal movements, and related topics. More than just a step-by-step anatomy lesson, this session provides you with the opportunity to manually locate many of the relevant muscles, bones, cartilages, etc. on your own body, feel how they work, and use them in new and sometimes surprising ways to modify your breath. The class doesn't advocate any particular breathing method, but it includes instructions on how to keep your practice safe and comfortable, how to deepen your existing practice, and how to intelligently explore the broad and powerful world of breath-based techniques.