Deep Healing Through Breath and Bodywork: The Diaphragmatic Release
When it comes to breathing and the free flow of energy; few muscles play more of a crucial role than that of the respiratory diaphragm. Often neglected, is a dome-shaped muscles that attaches to the Thoracic Spine at T12. It site underneath the last rib and provides a physical separation of the thoracic and abdominal cavities. appearance.
The diaphragm serves as the central bridge between our physical and energetic bodies. The Diaphragmatic Release is one of the most powerful techniques used in Polarity and Craniosacral Therapy to let go of tension and restore balance to the overall system and allow the body to move back into parasympathetic functioning (our rest + digest function).
When the diaphragm tightens or becomes constricted due to stress, emotional trauma, and physical posture, its effects can be felt by everything from digestion to mental well-being. These tensions create blockages that mean life energy cannot flow freely through the body, thus creating a variety of different physical and emotional challenges.
The Power of Diaphragmatic Release
Diaphragmatic Release is one of those techniques that can be used to help the body release tension so that it can return to its natural rhythm. During this technique, you use gentle maneuvers on the diaphragm and areas around it in an attempt to loosen restrictions and create more range of motion in those areas. This results in an improvement in respiratory patterns while the energy pathways opened improve the way the body stores and, more importantly, processes stress.
Deepened Breathing: Relaxation of tension in the diaphragm allows one to breathe easier and deeper, full and relaxed. That supports the nervous system, getting one into a calm and relaxed state.
Release of Stress and Emotions: The diaphragm often relates to emotional experiences. So, people often take stress, fear, or sadness within their breath, not knowing it. With this release through the diaphragm, the experiences come up for processing, allowing room for healing to enter.
Enhanced Gut Activity: The diaphragm affects the organs directly underneath it. These include the stomach, liver, and intestines. Free movement of the diaphragm brings about better digestion and circulation of blood hence better health in all those organs.
Balance Between Diaphragm and Clavicle in Polarity Therapy
Polarity therapy views the diaphragm and clavicles, or collarbones. Both allow for an easy flow of energy in the upper body. When the diaphragm and clavicles are balanced, expansion of the chest occurs more easily as related to healthy lung function and emotional expression. Often, the stuck energy will only be relieved by these two areas being balanced.
Diaphragmatic Release is a soft yet transformative tool in Polarity and Craniosacral Therapy - working with this very important part of the body is bound to enhance not only the physical functions of your body but also open space for emotional and energetic healing. Whether you are on the path to relaxing from stress, or a pathway of improving your posture, or getting deep into self-awareness, diaphragmatic release is a tool one can't pass by while on his/her way towards wholeness.
We have MANY different ways to release it and polarize it with other reflexes in the body. Experience it firsthand when you book a session at the Zen Den.