Other/Mixed crocodile breathing
- Thread starter jeannot
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Other strength modalities (e.g., Clubs), mixed strength modalities (e.g., combined kettlebell and barbell), other goals (flexibility)
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Tony Carrigan
First Post
jeannot,
Crocodile Breathing, or in yoga Marakasana (Crocodile Pose), is a great way to practice diaphragmatic breathing since one can feel the expansion of their lower abdomen against the floor. Often, that additional sensory input through contact with the floor really solidifies the properly executed deep breath.
Functional Movement Systems, a partner of StrongFirst, has a great description here: (obviously, you can do this without weights).
Crocodile Breathing with Ankle Weights | Functional Movement Systems
Regards,
Tony
Crocodile Breathing, or in yoga Marakasana (Crocodile Pose), is a great way to practice diaphragmatic breathing since one can feel the expansion of their lower abdomen against the floor. Often, that additional sensory input through contact with the floor really solidifies the properly executed deep breath.
Functional Movement Systems, a partner of StrongFirst, has a great description here: (obviously, you can do this without weights).
Crocodile Breathing with Ankle Weights | Functional Movement Systems
Regards,
Tony
Purpose is to practice diaphragmatic breathing. Lying on your stomach gives you feedback as to whether your chest or stomach is moving as you breathe. You can do the same thing by sitting, or lying on your back, and putting one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. The belly hand should move and the chest hand should not.
For crocodile breathing, lie on your stomach, relax, and breathe deeply in a way that you feel the sides of your stomach expand. Feel like you're drawing the air down deep into your abdominal cavity, all the way to your pelvic floor. Breathe in slowly, and relax to exhale. Pause for a while between breaths.
The more we practice diaphragmatic breathing, the more it becomes our natural way to breathe all the time. This is the goal. It's healthier, and it helps turn down the stress response. Most of us tend to breathe with our chests and this can have a cascade of negative effects including tension in the neck and traps and remaining in a "stressed" state where stress hormones are on and the sympathetic nervous system is dominant. So, we work to reverse this tendency with diaphragmatic breathing practice.
For crocodile breathing, lie on your stomach, relax, and breathe deeply in a way that you feel the sides of your stomach expand. Feel like you're drawing the air down deep into your abdominal cavity, all the way to your pelvic floor. Breathe in slowly, and relax to exhale. Pause for a while between breaths.
The more we practice diaphragmatic breathing, the more it becomes our natural way to breathe all the time. This is the goal. It's healthier, and it helps turn down the stress response. Most of us tend to breathe with our chests and this can have a cascade of negative effects including tension in the neck and traps and remaining in a "stressed" state where stress hormones are on and the sympathetic nervous system is dominant. So, we work to reverse this tendency with diaphragmatic breathing practice.
Norcoaster
Level 2 Valued Member
As a side note, there is research that suggests abdominal breathing can decrease esophageal reflux symptoms - so there is another bonus 
FWIW, I had one student who could do good crocodile breathing on the floor but lost it when seated, so I’ve come to think that it’s important to make sure this is functioning in all positions including seated and standing after first seeing that it’s working when laying on the floor.
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There is a description and video on crocodile breathing in Karen Smith's latest blog article: The “Secret” to Success: Visualization
North Coast Miller
Level 9 Valued Member
I don't practice it on the floor, but have been doing abdominal breathing for years. There is an older book called 'The Science of Breath' by Yogi Ramacharaka that is free on the web and a very good read.
This sort of breathing is great for BP, awareness work, and very important as a gateway exercise to other forms of meditative / deliberate breathing patterns.
This sort of breathing is great for BP, awareness work, and very important as a gateway exercise to other forms of meditative / deliberate breathing patterns.
ali
Level 7 Valued Member
Anyone tried see-saw breathing? It's Feldenkrais breathing awareness. Big belly breath, hold it in, suck in your belly and move the ball of air into your chest and roll it about between chest and belly, deep into your hips, with no strain of course. Bit like a cartoon character with a ball in you belly. Breathe out and relax. Do it a few times, then on the diagonal, then roll it all about. Brings awareness to all you breathing apparatus, ribs and muscles. Slightly bonkers, strangely good fun and very effective.
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