In our daily lives, many of us are taught to “suck it in.” We hold our bellies tight, we hunch our shoulders over our phones, and we inadvertently restrict the very thing that keeps us alive: our breath. At Buddha Body Yoga, we take a different approach. We invite you to expand.
Expanding the Container
Yoga is often described as a way to stretch muscles, but one of the most profound stretches we can perform is from the inside out. When we focus on the ribcage, we are working with the “container” of our breath. For those of us with larger bodies or those recovering from injury, the torso can sometimes feel like a place of restriction.
By utilizing a seated position, whether on a firm chair or supported by bolsters, we can take the effort out of standing and put that energy into our respiratory muscles.
A Simple Practice for Spaciousness
Try this right now, wherever you are sitting:
Place your hands on the sides of your lower ribs. As you inhale, don’t just think about your chest rising. Instead, feel your ribs pushing outward into your palms. Imagine your torso widening like an umbrella opening.
When you breathe into the sides and the back of your body, you are doing more than just oxygenating your blood. You are:
- Massaging the nervous system: Deep, lateral breathing signals to your brain that you are safe and supported.
- Creating mobility in the spine: Every breath moves the joints where your ribs meet your vertebrae.
- Softening the “armor”: We often carry emotional stress in our midsection. Letting the ribs expand helps soften that protective layer.
Why This Matters at Buddha Body
In this studio, we don’t care if you can do a handstand. We care if you can find more room to exist within your own skin. By focusing on the breath and the ribcage, we create a sense of internal volume.
This practice reminds us that we do not need to shrink ourselves to fit into a yoga pose or a social expectation. We deserve to take up space, starting from the very center of our being.
Next time you join us for a session, notice where your breath goes. Are you holding back, or are you allowing your ribs to dance? Let’s keep opening up those spaces, one breath at a time.