DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING FOR DANCERS
Diaphragmatic breathing is one of many breathing techniques, all of which are very valuable in helping us deal with the many challenges we face in life.
The diaphragm is the muscle which covers the base of the rib cage. In a relaxed state, the lungs breathe in, expand and the diaphragm pushes downward, flattening, into the abdomen. As we exhale, the lungs contract and the diaphragm relaxes upward into the chest. Traditional diaphragmatic breathing is in essence abdominal breathing. As such it is a way to relax the breathing process by concentrating on expanding and releasing the belly instead of the chest.
My trainer (Aidan Cuthbertson) and I have added a wrinkle to this technique which enables amazingly vibrant and easy breathing while working out, dancing or otherwise. What has been added is that the Dancer breath associated with this method allows the rib cage only to expand instead of the abdomen which is the exact opposite of diaphragmatic breathing. It is helpful to learn the latter first in order for the body to understand the former.
Chest breathing results in a fabulous use of the core along with far more ease in the breathing process. A lifted rib cage without effort is one outcome. One dance friend recommends always having a "birdcage" under your chest when dancing. Diaphragmatic breathing for dancers gives you this result without effort!
The diaphragm is the muscle which covers the base of the rib cage. In a relaxed state, the lungs breathe in, expand and the diaphragm pushes downward, flattening, into the abdomen. As we exhale, the lungs contract and the diaphragm relaxes upward into the chest. Traditional diaphragmatic breathing is in essence abdominal breathing. As such it is a way to relax the breathing process by concentrating on expanding and releasing the belly instead of the chest.
My trainer (Aidan Cuthbertson) and I have added a wrinkle to this technique which enables amazingly vibrant and easy breathing while working out, dancing or otherwise. What has been added is that the Dancer breath associated with this method allows the rib cage only to expand instead of the abdomen which is the exact opposite of diaphragmatic breathing. It is helpful to learn the latter first in order for the body to understand the former.
Chest breathing results in a fabulous use of the core along with far more ease in the breathing process. A lifted rib cage without effort is one outcome. One dance friend recommends always having a "birdcage" under your chest when dancing. Diaphragmatic breathing for dancers gives you this result without effort!
One way to learn how to breathe like this:
We can easily learn abdominal breathing using this trick:
Remove the weight to practice breathing unassisted only through the belly. For dancers (or any others engaged in strenuous activity), we add the following exercise to refine the technique:
Breathing expanding the chest only is Diaphragmatic Breathing for Dancers. After you practice this technique and get good at it, breathing becomes far less effortfull. The only exertion involved is the intentional movement of the diaphragm and that movement is actually amazingly gentle and easy.
- Lie down on a mat or on the floor.
- Place a 10 pound weight on your abdomen. A kettle ball is ideal but any heavy weight will do. Be careful of your belly. Don't let the heavy weight disturb your digestion.
- Take 10 deep breaths using only your belly muscles to lift the weight. Do not let your chest expand at all.
Remove the weight to practice breathing unassisted only through the belly. For dancers (or any others engaged in strenuous activity), we add the following exercise to refine the technique:
- Alternate belly breathing and chest breathing, restricting the movement of the other. Breathe into the belly, not moving the chest. Then breathe into the chest, not moving the belly.
Breathing expanding the chest only is Diaphragmatic Breathing for Dancers. After you practice this technique and get good at it, breathing becomes far less effortfull. The only exertion involved is the intentional movement of the diaphragm and that movement is actually amazingly gentle and easy.
Try it. You'll love it. But it takes practice to perfect.
Published April 26, 2026.