Anatomy of Breathing

CONTENTS

Initial Observations About the Act of Breathing

Anatomical Pages

The Skeleton’s Role in Breathing

Respiratory Organs

Respiratory Muscles

The Principal Forces Involved in Breathing

Forces Affecting Respiratory Volumes

Relationships Among Anatomical Structures Involved in Breathing

Analysis of the Principal Types of Breathing

Practice Pages

“My hope is that [this book] will contribute to a more enlightened practice of breathing. I also hope that you, the reader, will have a better understanding of how breathing changes spontaneously from moment to moment. My other wish is that you will discover how to consciously choose a specific breathing technique for certain purposes or circumstances.” -- Author’s Preface


Everyone breathes, yet few of us understand how to consciously control breathing to improve our well-being and the quality of many daily activities. Anatomy of Breathing is a clear and helpful guide to both the theory and practice of breathing in its many variations.

Hundreds of expert drawings along with easy-to-understand text help you explore just how breathing works. Once you’re acquainted with the principal organs, structures, and forces that affect breathing, you will learn how to control them to enhance the quality and variety of breathing in your own life. Along the way, you will also correct many common misconceptions about breathing.

Anatomy of Breathing is filled with helpful practice pages. Here you will learn simple exercises to prepare your body for the benefits of different types of breathing. You will then be shown, step by step, how to practice some of the most common and useful breathing techniques on your own.

Anatomy of Breathing is a unique and wonderful resource for anyone who wishes to understand the science and art of breathing, and how to make their own breathing better and more life-enhancing.