The diaphragm is the floor where the lungs rest and separate the organs from the lungs. In addition, this main respiratory muscle descend with the inhalation to give room to the lungs to expand, and ascend with the exhalation to bring organs up and let the abdominal muscle contract.
The diaphragm is emotional and reacts to any positive or negative emotions. For instance, the diaphragm tenses up if you are happy or sad, when you are scared, when you cry or laugh.
If you are calm or your sigh, or take a long exhalation, the diaphragm will relaxed.
Consequently, if the diaphragm is tight, the lungs will not be able to fully expand, the back will get tight, the abdominal pressure in the abdominal cavity will increase and your abdominal muscles will get weak. As a result, if the diaphragm remains tight, the whole posture will change and back issues can start.
How can you Improve the Health of Your diaphragm?
The health of your diaphragm can improve with practicing rhythmical, slow, and deep exhalations. In the same way, slow and controlled breathing increase activation of the vagal nerve and reduce sympathetic response. In other words, the parasympathetic response improves.
The sympathetic system is in charge of the flight, fight, and freeze response. In addition, the parasympathetic decrease anxiety, prevent stress, improve moods, and produce tranquility. Finally, longer exhalations lead to a mental and physical health.
Technique to Release the Diaphragm
What Do you need?
- A yoga mat
- A tennis ball
Lye down in your stomach
Place tennis ball next to the rib cage
Inhale deep-push tennis ball with your belly
Exhale deep-let the tennis ball sink
Stay on this position for no more than 2 minutes
Repeat on the other side
Note:
This technique should not produce pain.
Hypopressives contributes to release the diaphragm.