Three Types Of Breathing
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
The diaphragm is the muscle that causes the lungs to move and is located underneath the lungs, above the stomach. When the diaphragm moves downward, the lungs inhale. When the diaphragm moves upward, the lungs exhale. Diaphragmatic breathing is evident when the lower belly extends on an inhale rather than the chest. There are three types of breathing, which will be expounded upon more are we move further into this material: thoracic breathing (mid-chest), clavicular breathing (upper chest), and diaphragmatic breathing (belly, abdomen). Diaphragmatic breathing is the most efficient breathing there is. This is because most of the blood is circulating in the lower parts of the lung, and oxygen infusion is mostly happening there. The diaphragmatic breathing pulls the oxygen lower into the lungs, thus increasing the efficiency of oxygen infusion into the blood stream because the oxygen is exposed to more of the blood. Interestingly, children and infants do this naturally. It is only later that adult humans stop using this most efficient way of breathing.
Thoracic Breathing, chest breathing, fills only the middle and upper portion of the lungs, not the lower portions where most of the blood is. Clavicular Breathing is centered around the collarbones and only comes into play when the body needs great amounts of oxygen, for instance, while exercising.
The three types of breathing can be coordinated into an exercise in which a deep breath is taken. This is a complete yogic breath incorporating all of the lung capacity, not just portions of it. First the lowest part of the lungs are filled, diaphragmatic (belly), then the middle portion is filled, thoracic (mid-chest), then the uppermost part is filled, clavicular (upper tips of the lungs near collar bone). An example would be a yawn, or a sigh. Everyone has experienced how relaxing it is to let out a big sigh, or a yawn.
There are three kinds of breathing important to our health and well being: Thoracic breathing, clavicular breathing, and diaphragmatic breathing. The deep breathing exercise of pranayama yoga, or yoga breathing, is a controlled breathing technique which supports oxygenated blood by oxygen infusion. Healthy breathing is achieved through mindfulness breathing, which means actively observing the deep breath through breathing meditation. Pranayama yoga facilitates breathing meditation by breathing oxygen and the powerful technique of diaphragm breathing. Through breathing exercises such as prana breathing and relaxation breathing, prana shakti can be cultivated for better health.