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How do mushrooms breathe?

How do I learn to belly breathe?

  • I have no problems belly breathing when I am on my back in bed, or when I am somewhat hunched over. However, I can't belly breathe when I stand up straight. When I stand up straight and try to belly breathe, I intake less air than I can when I chest breathe. Is this something that will "fix" itself with practice (standing up)? Do most athletes and wind instrument players use belly breathing? If belly breathing is so great, then why don't most people know how to do it? Actually, why don't the people who do know how to belly breathe, use belly breathing all the time, and just forget chest breathing?

  • Answer:

    Most people breathe through their chests out of habit, and social pressures (especially on women), however the correct way to breathe is from the diaphragm (or as you say "belly breathing") especially for performing arts. The best way for this to become a natural way to breathe is with practice and a good vocal training. When I studied acting we did voice classes everyday and I still keep it up now, so maybe you could investigate that route. Also read "The right to speak" by Patsy Rodenburg as she gives many helpful exercises in order to achieve this. It is an important skill to have in performance as it is only by breathing correctly that you can find your true voice and let your emotions out freely. It also allows you to take in much more air, and with practice you will expand your capacity. Don't think of it so much as breathing into your "belly". Your entire rib cage should expand outwards from the front back and sides. Anyway, you should definitely read the book I recommend as it will give you all the advice you need. I

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Most people breathe with their chests because it's easier and peolpe do it subconsciencely. Belly breathing is actually better because you take in a lot more air. How to belly breathe is quite simple: put your hands on your stomach. Then force your stomach in and out. Work your stomach like bellows. Open your mouth when you breathe if you're not accostomed to breathing in this fashion. Belly breathing IS NOT a fat way of breathing. If you play an instrument or you sing, belly breathing is the way to go. Most people don't know how because they are ignorant. It takes a lot of training of the mind to breathe with your stomach instead of your chest.

never you mind

I'm a wind musician... One of the most difficult parts of taking a full breath of air is overdoing muscle tension. You have to be comfortable letting your torso/diaphragm muscles relax/letting your gut or belly hang out. A great analogy my lesson teacher told me is to think of a bellows filling up (exanding downward). Visualize breathing until the air "touches the ground." Feel rooted and buoyant. Another good exercise is to take a huge breath, hold it, bend forward/back/to the sides (at the waist) and exhale beforehand.

joie_du_cor

It is better to breathe from the chest. The belly breathing is a fat way to breathe. So stop trying it. Some martial arts use stomach breathing but not sure why.

Melissa M

what the hell is belly breathing!?

Sam S

"Belly" breathing makes singing, and playing instruments a thousand times easier. You can fill both your lungs, and your stomach with air, and use the air in your stomach as a reserve, or when you really need to get a lot of sound out. Example: In singing, if you try to hit a high note by using the air in your lungs, you could hurt your voice. If you fill your stomach with air, and use stomach muscles to punch the air out...the note will be much easier to hit. "Belly" breathing can take practice. At first you might have to tell yourself were you want to the air to go. Actually think about the air going into your stomach, and don't let it go into your lungs. As you breath, don't let your chest expand, let your stomach expand. I know that sounds ridiculous, but that's what I had to do for a little bit and it really helped. It can take awhile to get to were you can hold a lot of air at one time. It's like increasing your lung capacity. People who can breath in a lot don't start out like that, they have to work up to it. If your a singer, or instrumentalist, I would highly recommend learning how because it really helps.

abacus314

i breathe through my belly all the time, i had to learn how to belly breathe for choir when i was in high school, because you can intake more air, to hold longer notes. when you breathe through your belly you are using your diaphragm( if i can remember right). just keep practicing is my suggestion. Hope it works for you.

lilchik

How the **** do u belly breathe it doesnt sound healthy it sounds like u have a fricking stomach mouth!!!!!!

Tay

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