I catch myself breathing shallowly often, especially when sitting at my desk, hunched over a computer. Doctors now call sitting "the new smoking". I call not breathing properly the new smoking. Physical therapists say chest breathing starts at around the age of four. That is when voluntary control of the muscles in the thoracic region, or the chest, starts developing. Before then and as a baby, people would have naturally done "diaphragmatic breathing". To improve fitness levels diaphragmatic breathing has to be relearnt. It fills every part of the lungs with oxygen. During diaphragmatic breathing, the abdominal area expands, ribs expand sideways and the diaphragm contracts. During exhalation, the abdomen pushes in and up, the lower rib cage contracts inward and the diaphragm expands, forcing the air out. However, just as important is nasal breathing — in and out through the nose. Many people don’t even realise they are not breathing nasally. Who says so? Well, I was chatting to a d...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.