Daily Maestroism
DM #163
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2016
DM #163: Today I read a super dope article by @drkathydooley, then had an IG friend hit me up with a message about success with breathing, and then had a in-depth convo on FB about the role of breathing. All this to say that I had to make tonight’s DM about breathing.
If you haven’t checked out Kathy Dooley’s article on OTP, you need to. I posted it on my Facebook page, so head over there (after you read this!) and check it out.
From a physiological perspective, the “core” is a canister. The diaphragm, acting as the top of that can (you could take it up to the glottis but then it gets a little more complicated) will have a direct effect on how the system is pressurized via it's ability to contract and relax, aka move downward and upward. Creating reflexive (and voluntary) intra-abdominal pressure is one of the hallmarks of core stability.
As children, we use breathing to create foundational stability at the midline, and then begin to move around this. We then explore other positions and earn the right to be on two legs. There's a reason it takes us so long to learn how to walk. We're gaining stability, and it must come in stages, and be built from a solid foundation. Can't shoot a cannon from a canoe. Proximal stability for distal mobility. Whatever phrase you want to use. It all requires that we have previously established a solid foundation…via proper breathing mechanics.
Think of the number of reps we get in each day when we view breathing as a core exercise. And let’s not forget the fact that kids have a higher respiration rate than adults. Now, think about how when there is dysfunctional breathing present it can undo any and all of our other efforts if not addressed.
We seem to want super complex treatments that can be calculated and measured. Because if we can put a number to it then it must be important. But guess what, breathing is SUPER COMPLEX. We take it for granted and that’s why we suck at it.
Take home message: All that other stuff is helpful when it comes to working on your core. Just make sure that you first own breathing.
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