To: K-list
Recieved: 2003/07/28 01:43
Subject: [K-list] Re: Diaphragmology (Richard Friedel);
From: Nina Murrell-Kisner
On 2003/07/28 01:43, Nina Murrell-Kisner posted thus to the K-list:
Gruesse, Richard,
Thank you for opening such an interesting topic.
You asked what I think of what you have written:
--- Richard Friedel <s3e0101 AT_NOSPAM mail.lrz-muenchen.de> wrote:
> Hi Nina,
>
> With all due respect, the breathing method for diaphragm training seems
> to have much to speak for it. Activating it and feeling its presence by
> sniffing is used in singing instruction. Although western medicine seems
> to be generally at loggerheads with breathing, it does have the sniff
> test, which seems quite effective. I go a lot by the books of Dr.
> Julius Parow (1901-1986) who always emphasized that breathing
> instruction should be functional, i. e. by breathing itself and not
> exercising the limbs.
I'll look into Parow's books. I tend to go by what arises in my 'practice',
that is to say, self-observation.
I can see the benefit of exercising that which you wish to see improve;
logically, it follows that if one performs breath exercises, the quality of
breath will change. However, as tension in parts of the body normally not
associated directly with breathing can impair breathing, it is important to not
exclude them from the overall plan.
For instance, I currently have an injured Achilles tendon, and have noticed
that limping has distorted the alignment in my spine and thus lungs and that I
will tend to hold my breath when walking on or even thinking about the injured
leg. I expect that as the tendon heals, this breathing difficulty will rectify
itself; I also expect that as I continue to notice and relax out of the
holdings, the tendon will heal itself more easily.
I have observed that most people with tightness in their shouldergirdle and/or
hips will have shallow breathing patterns. Tight hamstrings can also limit the
respiratory wave, because of how these muscles pull down on the pelvis,
limiting oscillation of the spine with the breath. Tight intercostal muscles
and abdominal muscles, and even adhesions (caused by trauma or illness) amongst
the abdominal organs or even of the abdominal organs to the diaphragm are
definite contributors to reduced ability to breathe.
For best results, the entire body should be included in a plan for better
breathing. Treat the entire breathe-ing be-ing.
> As I wrote, western medicine is mostly based on simple school physics
> when it comes to understanding breathing. The lungs are thought of only
> as bellows, not as parts of a living organism. This is a disaster.
I have heard the lungs referred to as "bellows" in Kundalini Yoga circles,
specifically as regards the Breathe of Fire. I have heard the lungs referred to
as part of a 'respiratory system' (part of a living organism) in western
medical circles and in western philosophies such as Body Mind Centering.
Regardless of where they are heard, these are only concepts for understanding
something which is beyond understanding. The breath is a root of life. How can
we explain it?
The true disaster would be to write off any concept for understanding as
invalid. One person may require an understanding of their lungs as bellows,
another may require an understanding of their lungs as part of a living
organism. It all depends on 'what is missing' for that particular person.
> Probably true pranayama technique is shown best in one of the many books
> of André van Lysebeth. During an inhale in lotus pose (photo) the
> student gets maximum inflation of the chest with ujjayi (restriction of
> the throat). The next photo shows the alternative of an inhale with one
> nostril held shut. That is to say, it is a question of "hindering" (but
> actually promoting) the inhale.
>
> This is, it seems to me, where east and west are lightyears apart.
>
> One should accept that "obstructing" airflow when inhaling actually
> increases it, because the diaphragm is then activated.
You have observed this in your own body? What, exactly, have you observed?
Obstructing the inhale, for one untrained in advanced pranayama, has the
counter effect to what you have claimed. Obstructing the inhale greatly
increases the desire for air, can generate a sense of panic rising from air
starvation, and produces a 'gasping' response in which one gulps the next few
inhales.
If one wishes to deepen the inhale, has trouble breathing, or is feeling
general panic which has impacted the breath, I would advise exhaling with
'obstruction'. Breathing through a straw, blowing a long stream of soap
bubbles, chanting, or playing a wind instrument are examples of this. After a
long slow exhale, the body naturally lengthens the inhale and the mind and body
calm.
By the way, the diaphragm is engaged every time you take a breath. It can not
help but be engaged.
Another note, since the topic was on the relationship between health and
breathing exercises: ujjayi breathing and, in particular, breathe of fire and
breath retention (where the breath is held after the exhale) are heat-building
practices which pressurize the body. For this reason, people with nervous
system sensitivies to heat, such as those with Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic
Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and even vata constitutions or pitta imbalances
(overload), should be very careful in or even halt their participation in such
practices. For these people, breathing in these ways can be quite unhealthy.
(See the comments above about the disaster being the thought that any concept
for understanding is 'wrong'.)
> The method I described with the subterfuge of replacing the constriction
> in the nose (nadi sodhana) by one finger placed between the lips seems a
> useful tool, because the size of the gap between the finger and lips can
> be sensitively felt and varied to get the best action on the diaphragm
> whose action is then improved. I find there is a very pleasant sensation
> during the inhale (done with the cheeks drawn in a little), because the
> gap size is varied to cooperate with the feeling in the lower abdomen.
>
> I find it extremely easy to focus the breath on the chakra at the base
> of the abdomen. Whether this is the best method for kundalini is hard
> to say, but it does give a perspective.
>
> It seems more or less clear that true diaphragmatic breathing needs
> resistance for an inhale.
No, it does not seem clear. In fact, the opposite is quite true. It is
resistance which produces breathing difficulty and limits one's connection to a
naturally arising respiratory wave, the very root of good health.
> When using it, one cannot breathe in through a
> thickish tube, unless you close it a bit with a finger. This seems to
> be one reason for snoring: the diaphragm is not getting enough
> resistance if the mouth is wide open. However other factors are
> involved.
The sound of snoring is the sound of the tube being squeezed. The sound of
snoring is the sound of resistance.
> What do you think of this? Best regards, Richard Friedel
I think that the exploration should proceed.
While I can appreciate the benefit of strengthening the diaphragm, my
experience has been that strengthening the diaphragm before one is grounded in
a naturally-arising, effortless breath can be counter-productive and even
damaging. I have also found that in reconnecting with the naturally-arising,
effortless breath, the diaphragm strengthens "on its own" - no exercises are
necessary.
Nina
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