Breathing Summary Notes (Based on excerpts from Jessica Wolf’s ‘The Art of Breathing’)
1. Breath as Essential and Automatic
Breath is constant, involuntary, and always influencing us. We can become conscious of it and make choices that create ease and support expression and connection.
2. Breath as Adaptable Fuel
Oxygen fuels the body continuously. Breath responds instantly to thoughts and emotions and requires no effort to continue.
3. Stress and Breathing
Modern life, physical tension, illness, and emotional states disrupt natural breathing rhythms. Free breathing provides visceral massage that calms internal organs and restores harmony.
4. Holding the Breath
Holding the breath interferes with internal movement, increases CO2 (a stressor), and weakens the diaphragm. Observing breath-holding is a powerful self-awareness tool; releasing the exhale restores balance.
5. Anatomy of Breathing
Breath is three■dimensional: front, back, sides. The diaphragm initiates breath movement. Back movement is essential. Collapsing or overcorrecting posture limits the diaphragm and reduces lung capacity.
6. Coordinated Breathing
Breathing works best when effortless. A free exhale creates space for a natural, full inhale. Forcing breath creates tension and reduces oxygen.
7. Breath and Character Development
Breath gives a 3■D experience of the torso and supports posture. Breath and body influence each other simultaneously; breathing is not linear.
8. Interferences
Common breathing instructions encourage “doing.” Real breathing requires non-doing—mainly releasing the exhale. Over-breathing is another interference, creating breathlessness by taking in more air than is released.
9. Indirect Redevelopment of Breath
Breathing coordinates indirectly. Voluntary effort interferes. The diaphragm is subtle and mostly involuntary; the whole torso participates in breathing.
10. Relationship Between Body and Breath
Visualise the breath as a fluid internal current. Body shape affects breath, and breath influences body shape. Slumping or stiffening immediately reduces breath mobility.
11. Emotional Life and Breath
The diaphragm responds to emotions—laughing, crying, fear. Holding the breath diminishes emotional flow and reduces diaphragm movement, affecting posture, breath–voice coordination, and wellbeing.