Question about "pulling my ribs in" while yogi breathing?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi, I’m new to the forum (and sort of new to yoga). I’m 28, I’ve done a lot of Pilates and quite a bit of the more meditative form of yoga, with hardly any asanas at all. Now I recently joined a studio and I’m trying to learn a good foundation, get into good habits, build up strength etc. So far I love it, it’s a transformation.

My question is about breathing and posture…In class, when in an asana, I always get told to “pull my ribs in” “like a corset” to engage my core, you know what I mean. At the same time I am told to “breathe deeply and relaxed” (which I have no problem doing). I’m having trouble understanding how I’m supposed to keep my ribs “pulled in” , while doing the full, serene, abdominal breathing.

I’m a classical singer so I’m very familiar with breathing, but I can’t breathe properly while I push my ribs into the diaphragm at the same time, it seems contradictory. I always keep my abdominals “strong” but not necessarily pulled in, cause I need the space in my ribs to expand. What am I doing wrong? or am I understanding it wrong?

I’d like to hear your insight, and nice to meet you all

#2

HI Jane b,

Are you sure you’re being told to do abdominal breathing while engaging the core? I teach quite differently than that. Typically during asanas where I cue an engaged core (and yes I know exactly what you mean by that:)) I am instructing the students to breath into the chest and back, not the abdominal. Allow the breath to fill the entire thoracic area. You are quite correct it is contradictory to engage your pelvic floor or hollow out your lower belly AND perform abdominal breathing. I suggest getting clarification from your instructor on which asanas require the abdominal breathing and which have an engaged core.

#3

Ask your teacher to explain in more detail what he/she means by this…I am not in your class so can not know without actually hearing the instruction how/when etc it is given…best to directly ask the person giving the instruction.

#4

[QUOTE=Kristie Eccleston;84413]Hi Jane b,

Are you sure you’re being told to do abdominal breathing while engaging the core? I teach quite differently than that. Typically during asanas where I cue an engaged core (and yes I know exactly what you mean by that:)) I am instructing the students to breath into the chest and back, not the abdominal. Allow the breath to fill the entire thoracic area. You are quite correct it is contradictory to engage your pelvic floor or hollow out your lower belly AND perform abdominal breathing. I suggest getting clarification from your instructor on which asanas require the abdominal breathing and which have an engaged core.[/QUOTE]

I see…that’s it, there’s several types of yogic breathing to use during asanas. Which I haven’t heard about, I guess because I didn’t join a beginners class, I’m just googling it now.

We usually get into a slow, relaxed abdominal breath at the beginning of the class, and then we are told to “keep it that way throughout the whole practice” so it was really confusing when they told me to pull the stomach in. But of course the breath has to change according to the pose. I’m not used to limiting my breath to higher chest, it didn’t even cross my mind that it would be an option.

Thanks that really helped

#5

No Problem, be sure to clarify with your instructor too:))

#6

Yes, now that I have an idea of where we’re going with this I can make more specific questions when we’re in the pose : )

#7

Hello Jane,

It seems you’ve arrived at an “answer” to your post. You’ve already been well-advised to consult with the teacher you have chosen to impart the practice to you. This is a “rule of thumb” as far as I’m concerned. It fosters the student-teacher relationship and provides a portal for deeper understanding relative to what’s already being taught, from the perspective of that teacher.

It is wonderful to hear that you’ve opted to pursue your practice at a venue where the teachers are practicing and living yoga and subsequently have a deeper commitment to teaching from experience in a clear and concise fashion. That your choosing has already yielded a transformational feeling is outstanding.

I would add only that in the system in which I study, practice, and train, there is no intentional breathing into the belly. While that may be completely appropriate for singing, it flows counter to Yoga’s understanding of the difference between a pneumatic and hydrolic system. The first utilizes air while the second utilizes liquid.

As for the direction to “pull the ribs in” I can only tell you that I have not used or heard such an instruction in more than a decade.