Reverse Breathing is a breathing technique associated with yoga and qigong. It consists of expanding the abdomen while breathing out through the nose, and then compressing it while inhaling via the mouth -- the opposite of what an abdomen would do during natural, instinctive breathing. Via this process there can be paid especially close attention to the act of breathing. A pure, inner type of thought focus may thus arise.
The technique is also widely practised in a number of martial arts notably Chinese systems such as Baguazhang, T'ai chi ch'uan, and Kung Fu. The reverse breathing is believed to activate healing and protective Chi as the practitioner is consciously controlling the breath in a way opposite to normal breathing. By expanding the abdomen while delivering some technique (e.g. punch), the martial artists also protects the inner organs from any received counterattack.
Famous quotes containing the words reverse and/or breathing:
“We came home from the ridotto so late, or rather so early, that it was not possible for me to write. Indeed we did not go ... till past eleven o’clock: but nobody does. A terrible reverse of the order of nature! We sleep with the sun, and wake with the moon.”
—Frances Burney (1752–1840)
“To fair Fidele’s grassy tomb
Soft maids and village hinds shall bring
Each opening sweet of earliest bloom,
And rifle all the breathing spring.”
—William Collins (1721–1759)