Simple Developing Awareness of and Expanding the Space in the Lungs

---

 

Both developing awareness and expanding the lungs is easy. As for other breathing exercises, for this you don’t need nothing more than a firm decision and a little space around you. Especially in these days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we all have time.

This is not a proper breathing technique or pranayama, but simply an exercise for itself.

You can practice this exercise inside, on the terrace or in any quiet place where you can switch off all inner and outer blabber and where you can concentrate.

Awareness and expanding the space in the lungs is practiced in two parts, the first part is practiced in sitting the second lying on the floor.

If your body allows you to sit effortlessly and painlessly on the floor, sit on the floor and cross your legs in front of each other, or in one of the other meditative postures or simply on a chair.
You should never torture either your body or mind and cause mental or somatic pain to both your body and mind in the name of practicing any breathing or other yoga techniques.

Do not practice directly next to the wall and in front of furniture edges or in front of edges of surrounding roofs.

If you are sitting in a chair make sure that your feet are not crossed. Feet and legs do not touch. Always practice barefoot, without shoes.

---

 

Inhaling slowly rise your arms above your head, exhale gently and cross your fingers behind your neck.
Slowly inhale and exhaling slowly bend your upper body to the right side from your waist as far as you can right now without bending forward.
Breathe in this position slowly, consciously and deeply for 10-20 breaths with concentration on the left side of your lungs.

Notice the happenings in your left lung.

 

Now slowly inhale, straighten your upper body, exhale and bend your upper body to the left.
Stay in this position for 10-20 conscious and deep breaths with concentration on the right side of your lungs.

Notice what’s going on in your right lung.

Repeat awareness of the lungs in a sitting posture as many times as it does good to you.

---

 

This position expands the lungs and the entire space in your chest cavity.

Lie on the floor and cross your legs as pictured or if you can effortlessly and easily perform a lotus postures, cross your legs into this position.

As in the sitting position, inhaling gently lift your arms above your head and exhaling gently cross your arms behind your head.
A lighter variation is a position where the arms are slightly away from the body.

The picture shows a variation of medium easiness:

 

 

Of course, always practice with your eyes closed and your head straight.

If you can grasp elbows with your hands without effort and pain, then perform that posture. However, once again, check whether this advanced stretching of your entire body is breathtaking instead of expanding your lungs.

 

Less is always more.

Regardless of your position, breathe slowly and relaxed. Be aware of the paths that your breath travels.
Continue to observe the entire lung area.

Breathe thoroughly, deeply and slowly in this position for 10-20 breaths or as long as the expanding the lungs does good to you.

With exhalation return to a simple position on your back with your legs and arms apart.

Stay in this position for a while and consciously notice how much inner peace and beauty your slow breathing brings to your body, mind, spirit and heart.

About couple of things that happen when we breath consciously, read on this page.