Stacking The Breath

---

In Stacking The Breath, you will learn what a full breath feels like and how your shoulders can hold back your exhalation. The routine takes 1 or 2 minutes, so it can be added to your practice or included in your warm-up routine.

When doing this exercise, take your time and take normal-sized breaths. There is no need to push yourself to your limit.

If you feel light-headed, stop the movement and sit down. As with any movement lesson or exercise, stop if you feel discomfort.  

Stacking The Breath

Stand without the instrument.

Bend 90 degrees at your waist so that your torso is parallel to the floor. 

Allow your arms to hang loosely toward the floor and exhale.

Inhale and come upright while raising your arms out to the side at shoulder height, parallel to the floor. Hold this breath.

Without exhaling, take a second breath as you raise your arms above your head and stand on your toes. One breath is stacked on top of the other. Hold this breath.

Slowly lower your arms and bring your heels to the floor, holding your breath.  

Let your shoulders relax.

Release your breath.

Notice the amount of air in your lungs when you finally release the air. Also, notice if you hold your shoulders. If you keep your shoulders up, the exhalation is substantially less. Try it with and without holding up your shoulder to see the difference.  

Related videos, articles, and exercises:

Freeing Your Breath

Release Your Breath To Produce A Tone

A Fully Vibrating Reed

© 2019 Steve Duke