“Space to Breathe” Stretch

We all want room to breath freely and completely. The breathing structures also play a role in back strength and free arm movements. This warm-up is therefore for all instrumentalists and singers.

In this exercise we learn to find our maximum length and width while breathing out, then allowing the air to come in without any sound when we at our tallest and widest.

Start by rocking forward and back on your feet gently. Then, on the next backwards rock, allow your arms to swing forward. When you then rock forwards, your arms swing behind you. The weight of your arms counterbalances the movements back and forth on your feet, helping you maintain balance.

Now, on the backwards rock, while your arms are swinging forward, blow a thin stream of air out, and as you rock forwards (arms back) allow the air to come back in your nose. It helps to start the out breath with pursed lips on the letter “p.” This makes the air move more slowly in rhythm with your movements. You do not need to release all your air just yet, just blow out little puffs of air as your arms come forward and your back come back in the rocking movement.

After doing this three or four times, allow your arms this time to continue moving forward and up, widening the space between your hands, until you are up on your toes, with the hands above your head and open to the side at maximum length and width. Make sure your arms are slightly forward of your head, and keep your elbows bent, so that the stretch comes from the chest and back muscles.
As you come in to this stretched position, allow all the air to be blown out in a steady stream, until you are on your toes, empty of air.

Then come the fun part: Allow yourself to remain empty for a few seconds and then stretch your arms up a bit more to make yourself just a bit taller and wider, coming up on your toes, looking in to the room. During this final stretch allow the air to come back through your nose, silently, an din its own time.

Now you can lower your arms and come to rest.

This way, we have seen how we can lengthen and widen while breathing out, in order to create maximum space and flexibility in our frames for the next in breath. This warm up allows you to begin your practice with a body and mind ready for artistic breathing!