Rib Room Breath
Calm · Beginner · 8 rounds
Widen the ribs sideways when there's no room left to breathe down.
From the second trimester the growing uterus pushes up against the diaphragm, and breathing into the belly stops working. Directing the breath sideways and back into the lower ribs recovers the volume the belly used to provide. Hands on the sides of the ribcage give you the feedback - the ribs should widen under your palms while the shoulders stay still.
How to practice
- Inhale (Wide Ribs) for 4 seconds (through the nose)
- Exhale (Soft) for 6 seconds (through the nose)
Benefits
- Recovers breath capacity as the bump grows
- Eases late-pregnancy breathlessness
- Keeps the ribcage mobile
- Reduces neck and shoulder breathing
When to practice
A few minutes daily from the second trimester, and whenever you feel short of breath.
Also used for
Breathing Exercises for Pregnancy · Postpartum Breathing Exercises