The lungs are two sacs that can be filled with air. These sacs can be stretched in different directions, resulting in different types of breathing.
Stretching upwards creates clavicle breathing. We breathe this way in a state of stress — when a dangerous situation occurs. Sometimes people live in chronic stress and constantly breathe like this. Only the upper part of the lungs is engaged.
Stretching sideways results in chest breathing. This is how we breathe in our everyday life when dealing with routine tasks. A larger portion of the lungs is involved compared to the first case.
Stretching downwards leads to diaphragmatic breathing. Other names include abdominal breathing or diaphragmatic breathing.
This engages the largest volume of the lungs.
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the lungs and the abdominal organs. The top of the dome faces upward, towards the lungs. The concave part faces downward, towards the abdomen. The edges of the dome are attached to the lower ribs.
When the diaphragm contracts, its fibers shorten, and it changes from a dome to a flat shape, moving downwards. This action increases the volume of the lungs, resulting in inhalation. The abdomen slightly contracts, and whatever can’t contract protrudes forward. During inhalation, the abdomen slightly protrudes forward. During exhalation, it returns to its place, towards the spine.
We use diaphragmatic breathing when we need the parasympathetic nervous system — relaxation, digestion, stability of sensual arousal. If a woman breathes using her abdomen, she relaxes; many begin to feel a bubbling sensation in their abdomen (which is a very good sign), and a relaxed arousal emerges, not as tense as usual.
During a yoni massage, it’s crucial to help the woman transition into this state. That’s why, during meditation, instructions, and the massage itself, I repeatedly say the same phrase:
"Slow deep inhale... And an equally slow exhale... Relaxed abdominal breathing..."
Other details of the massage are described in the online course about yoni massage.
