The importance of posture in deep breathing

 

This figure shows the best posture for the practice of deep breathing. It effortlessly maximizes lung capacity and also is relaxing in itself. Deep breathing further relaxes the practitioner. Its only drawback is that all that relaxation may put the practitioner to sleep and you can't breathe deep in your sleep.

The upper diagram shows inhalation. Notice how movement of the diaphragm into the abdomen expands the lungs and the abdomen pushing the abdominal content up and down towards the pelvis. Diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest cavity where lungs are located from the abdominal cavity.

The lower diaphragm shows exhalation accompanied by movement of the diaphragm into the chest cavity, contracting the lungs and shrinking the abdomen. One can also practice deep breathing sitting on a chair or a stool.

 Although lying on the back as shown in the figure above is the best position to maximize lung capacity and also to relax, one can also practice deep breathing while sitting on a chair or a stool of appropriate height keeping the lower legs in the vertical position and thighs horizontal. The spine and the neck bone both should be vertical and aligned with each other tilting the pelvic joint slightly forward for a posture without tension in any muscle. Postures with hunched back and tensed up muscles ought to be avoided.

This figure shows the posture to use while  sitting in a chaoir or a stool. The posture on the right is what should be used. Notice the spine is vertical with the neck aligned vertically also. The pelvis is tilted forward. The other two postures are not advisable and are to be avoided.