To: K-list
Recieved: 2003/08/01 11:54
Subject: [K-list] Re: Diaphragmology
From: Nina Murrell-Kisner
On 2003/08/01 11:54, Nina Murrell-Kisner posted thus to the K-list:
Richard, you wrote:
"Joël is surely in error when he says that the diaphragm has the
abdominal wall muscle as an antagonist. This would imply that one could
breathe diaphragmatically with no resistance in the throat and with the
mouth open, i. e. with the tongue and throat in the "say r" position for
the doc. It is not possible, because the diaphragm needs an antagonist
in the form of such resistance."
LOL! Honestly, Richard, please look into the anatomical workings of the body.
It is really quite simple, but you seem to be missing out by clinging to this
notion that the abdominal wall does not act as an antagonist to the diaphragm.
While it is poetic to call the intercostals antagonists to the diaphragm across
the lungs, that is not how the function of 'antagonism' works. In an
antagonistic relationship, one muscle relaxes as the other works. In the
expansion of the chest, you seem to claim that both sets of muscles are
working: the intercostals work to expand and draw air into the lungs (which
they cannot do - muscles only work in contraction - expansion of a muscle
requires relaxation) as the diaphragm works to draw the air down into the
lungs. In actuality, the intercostal muscles must totally relax for the
rib-cage to expand as the diaphragm bows downward into the abdomen. So, where
is that suction coming from? Only from the diaphragm changing shape as it pulls
on bones.
Now, as regards resistance, the diaphragm gets resistance from the bones to
which it attaches. Resistance anywhere else, whether through congestion at the
nose, resistricting the airflow at the mouth or throat, or swollen bronchii, is
not the natural breath - it is a deformation, or, if you prefer, the
reformation, of the breath.
I am laughing because it is absolutely true that one can breath
diaphragmatically without resistance. (By resistance I mean artificially
applied resistance. Note that I agree with you that mouth-breathing is not
supportive of good diaphragmatic breathing.) I breathe diaphragmatically with
every breath. You do it with every unconscious breath. Even with imperfections
in the spine and ribcage, one can still breathe diaphragmatically. All that is
required is that the diaphragm is allowed to do its work. Strong diaphragms are
fine, but the strength comes from being allowed to do its work - this will
build the proper tone and ability to relax in a muscle.
As regards the nose, both the western and eastern viewpoints, as you like to
distinguish them, have validity. The nose is lined with cilia, which clean and
help humidify the air passing towards the lungs. These cilia, when clean and
uncongested, are set into a rhythmic waving by the breath (think: seaweed
pulsing in ocean waves) which helps prime other pulses in the body. That is
borderline 'energetic', but arises from quite physical functions. Here is
another aspect of the nose: there are 3 ridges in each nostril, called the
conche. These conche connect into the upper, middle, and lower sinuses
respectively. From a purely physical standpoint, if the conche's are blocked,
so are the related sinuses. However, how can one explain the connection between
these conche and the upper, middle/lower, and rear lobes of the lungs?
When one applies pressure to the lower conche, the rear lungs inflate more than
they would otherwise. When one applies pressure to the middle conche, the
middle/lower lobes of the lungs inflate more than they would otherwise. When
one applies pressure to the upper conche (carefully, as this one can also
induce headache), the upper lobes of the lungs inflate more than they would
otherwise. (Pressure is applied from the outside of the nose, at the location
of the indentations on the bridge of the nose that correspond to the locations
of the conches inside the nostrils, and without at all blocking the openness of
the nostril.) I can't explain this, but know that it works in my body and the
bodies of others.
The article you refer to did make a very good point about treating 'symptoms'.
That point was that if one identifies a symptom and treats only the symptom
(ie, breathing troubles, treating the breath only), one has not necessarily
healed the sources of the symptom. If one notices difficult spots in breathing,
one should ask, what the source of that difficulty is, and then treat that
source instead of the symptom. This leads to healing on a deeper level, one
that does not create a myriad of superficial fixes which may also serve to lock
the source of one's dis-ease beneath the fixes. This is dependent on the state
of emergency, of course. If you're having a heart attack, by all means call in
the heart specialist with his quick fixes. However, if your cholesterol is up
and your arteries are hardening, don't just cut the plaque out and expect the
problem to go away - address the life patterns that create the problem.
Richard, my apologies for bringing up a pointed and personal question, but I
wonder why it is that you feel you can't breathe diaphragmatically without
resistance in the diaphragm? I mean, do you feel like it isn't possible because
you have read that it isn't possible? Or maybe do you not feel the diaphragm
working without resistance? What would happen if you just let go of all
resistance and rode that feeling of 'looseness' or 'absence of work' in the
diaphragm?
I recall when I first began opening to a natural breath, and even sometimes
now, that the feeling of the diaphragm opening on its own accord was scary -
like sinking or falling. The moment I became afraid, the diaphragm would clench
and I would feel comfortable again. Eventually, I became comfortable with the
feeling of sinking or falling, could abide it, and then could allow the
diaphragm to open to fuller extents. Opening to its fuller extents means simply
that the diaphragm is allowed to relax and broaden fully on the exhale, and on
the inhale I do not force it, but allow the breath to flow into the lungs and
the diaphragm to yield to that breath. If at any time there is a feeling of
strain or tension, I back off, as this indicates that the 'ego' has taken over,
or, in other words, the mind is no longer partnering with the breath, but
trying to control it. Partnering with the breath is only another way of saying
one is bringing the function of the breath into consciousness.
I wonder - how would you define 'strength of the diaphragm'? (Here is my
definition: the ability to function optimally.)
good naturedly,
Nina
__________________________________
To get a reminder of your password or adjust your subscription, visit:
http://www.kundalini-gateway.org/mailman/listinfo/k-list_kundalini-gateway.org
DISCLAIMER!
Home | Archive Index | Search the archives | Subscribe
K. List FAQ | Kundalini FAQs | Signs and Symptoms | Awakening Experiences | K. list Polls | Member Essays | Meditations | List Topics | Art Gallery | Cybrary | Sitemap | Email the moderators.
symbol.