Breathing with your Base-Line.

A good breathing technique will help you work with your Base-Line muscles, building the connection between body and mind.

Base-Line muscles

Think: Stronger and longer with every in breath.

Breathing with your Base-Line muscles. Image of face with arrows going up into the nostrils. breathe in through your nostrils, feel your whole body extend. Breathe out through your mouth. Repeat.

Breathe in and up through your nostrils.

Breathe out through your mouth.

Focus on activating your Base-Line muscles as you inhale.

Don't rush. Take as many breaths as you need to activate and elongate your Base-Line as much as you can.

Begin by contracting your pelvic floor muscles.

human outline from above with the pelvic floor muscles in-situ. Like a basket of muscle, slung between the bones of the pelvis - spanning the pelvic canal. Several muscles, differing in shape and size, forming the basket. Left and right sides are symmetrical, with holes on the midline for the anus and genital outlets.

The BASE foundation from where all movement should stem.

It takes practice to activate the right muscles if you are not used to using them. With each breath focus on feeling for your pelvic floor muscles contract.

Then activate your rectus abdominis muscles.

outline of human figure showing the rectus abdominis muscles extending from between the legs at the front of the pelvis to the chest. Two long muscles, lying parallel running up the front of the abdomen attaching to the cartilage of the lower ribs. Each rectus abdominis consists of several sections of muscle tissue separated by horizontal strips of connective tissue known as tendinous intersections. The linea alba (white line) is a strip of connective tissue running from pubic symphysis to xiphoid process of the sternum, midline between the rectus abdominis muscles. The rectus abdominis - the body's central line.

The body's central LINE, strong and flexible that should support all movement.

Our core pillar of strength, from where the rest of the body extends.

Use your hands over your rectus abdominis muscles, tapping up your abdomen from pelvis to chest and imagine each pair of panels activating in turn, extending and aligning your midline.

midline markers

I found it easiest to work on my breathing whilst standing (in a relaxed manner) or lying on my back.

Do whatever feels good for you.

As I focused on my activating my Base-Line I found myself adjusting my position so that my body was a little more aligned. Let yourself move as feels natural.

It can take a long time to break old habits and activate the correct muscles if you are not used to using them. Be aware of when 'the wrong' areas of muscle activate. If you feel this happening - relax, breathe and focus on your Base-Line once more. Little by little improvements are made.

Breathe with your Base-Line

Stronger and longer with every in-breath.

Build the connection between body and mind.