Dynamics of breathing 13
The unfortunate result of this error is that many people receiving breath training who
exhibit chest rather than belly movement are told that they are not using the diaphragm,
which is entirely wrong. Except in cases of paralysis, the diaphragm is always used for
breathing. The real issue is whether or not the diaphragm is able to work efficiently, meaning
how well it can coordinate with all the other muscles that can affect shape change. Yoga
practice can help with precisely this coordination.
If it were possible to release all of the muscular action surrounding our cavities, the dia-
phragm’s action would cause both the chest and abdomen to move simultaneously. This
rarely occurs because the need to stabilize the body’s mass in gravity causes many of the
respiratory stabilizing muscles—which are also postural muscles—to remain active through
all phases of breathing, even while supine. From this perspective, our postural habits are
synonymous with our breathing habits.
engine of three-Dimensional Shape Change
The specific patterns we encounter in yoga asana or breathing practice (pranayama) result
from the action of accessory muscles—muscles other than the diaphragm—that can change
the shape of the cavities. They have the same relationship to the diaphragm that the steer-
ing mechanism of a car has to its engine.
The engine is the prime mover of a car. All mechanical and electrical movements that are
associated with a car’s operation are generated by the engine. Similarly, three-dimensional,
thoracoabdominal shape changes of breathing are primarily generated by the diaphragm.
When you drive, the only direct control you exert over the function of the engine is the
speed of its spinning. Pushing the gas pedal makes the engine spin faster, and releasing
the pedal makes it spin slower. When breathing, the only direct, volitional control you have
over your diaphragm is its timing. Within limits you can control when it fires, but when
it ceases contracting, a passive recoil creates the exhalation, just as your car’s gas pedal
springs upward to decelerate upon release of your foot.
Steering Shape Change
Everyone knows you don’t steer a car with its engine. To channel the power of the engine
in a particular direction, you need the transmission, brakes, steering, and suspension. In the
same way, you don’t steer your breathing with your diaphragm. To control the power of
the breath and guide it into specific patterns, you need the assistance of accessory muscles.
From the standpoint of this engine analogy, the notion that improving breath function
by training the diaphragm is flawed. After all, you don’t become a better driver by learning
how to work only the gas pedal. Most of the skills you acquire in driver training have to do
with coordinating the acceleration of the car with steering, braking, and awareness of your
surroundings. Likewise, breath training is really accessory muscle training. Only when all the
musculature of the body is coordinated and integrated with the action of the diaphragm
can breathing be efficient and effective.
The notion that diaphragmatic action is limited to abdominal bulging (belly breathing)
is as inaccurate as asserting that an engine is only capable of moving the car forward and
that some separate source of power governs reverse movement. This automotive error
results from not understanding the relationship of the car’s engine to its transmission; the
breathing error results from not understanding the diaphragm’s relationship to rib cage
movement and to the accessory muscles.
A related error equates belly movement with proper breathing and chest movement
with improper breathing. This is just as silly as stating that a car is best served by only
going forward at all times. Driving a car with no reverse gear will eventually leave you
stuck somewhere.