Breathing can be made easier if we are aware that the lungs can move in all directions. Whether you have postural imbalances, breathing difficulties such as COPD or asthma, breathing can be dramatically improved when you tap into places you would not normally associate with breathing. My previous blog "where are my lungs anyway?" I point out that the lung tissue reaches as high as the collarbones. 
It is important to note the contraction of the diaphragm (the primary mover of breath) expands the volume of the torso and thereby pulls air into the lungs. The diaphragm is a dome shaped structure with a central tendon and muscles that attach to the inner walls of the ribcage and the spine. Think of a trampoline with it's bouncy middle and springs attached all the way around it. The springs are the muscles contracting (inhale) or relaxing (exhale). In the picture above the central tendon is white and the muscles are red.

Here is an excellent video which is only 6 minutes long. It is done by Donna Bervinchak, Feldenkrais & Child'Space practitioner, in Lancaster, PA. You will feel an effortless, multi-directional breath after you do this lesson. It is very effective for anyone with neck, rib, shoulder and back tension, as well as those with abdominal/ stomach tension. It is useful for blood circulation since the aorta travels through the diaphragm.

Including your ribcage in your self image is a good start in understanding what a healthy back involves. When you bend over, turn to look over your shoulder or reach with your hand to get something your ribs are involved.
In truth the ribcage covers most of your torso. The first 12 vertebrae of the back, the thoracic region, have ribs attached to it. So, when your back is stiff, your ribs are too!
How do the ribs get stiff? When our breathing becomes affected from stress, when we sit too much, injuries, and a number of other factors contribute to it. In my previous blog a-sigh-of-relief I show you how to reduce rib tension.

Would you like to keep your back feeling more limber? Click here to find out how a treatment works for back problems. Keep your back healthy by having a routine to reduce stress and improve mobility. Take classes that improve your body awareness, breathing and posture. The honest truth is the stiffer you feel in your back, the more you will limit your activity level and the older you will feel!

Sighing IS relief! Why is that?

Exhaling is the "resting" phase of the breath. When we breath out the diaphragm moves upward in the body, allowing the muscles attached to the diaphragm to relax. As this happens, the lungs deflate. The Key to getting a full and satisfying exhale is to also allow the ribs to relax, move inward and downward. This will also reduce tension in your back.
Put your hand on your breastbone and sigh. You should feel the chest drop. Try touching the sides of your lower ribs. These ribs should also lower and move inward. One other interesting little fact is that the heart pericardium is attached to your diaphragm! Exhaling decreases pressure on the heart and lowers your heart rate.

If you don't get it out, you will not get much in! By restoring a natural exhale, your inhale will be effortless.