"Many of us harbor deeply ingrained misconceptions about how we breathe. These false pretences, such as the belief that the diaphragm ascends during inhalation, hinder our understanding of optimal breath function and limit our ability to guide clients towards healthier breathing patterns.
This class will dismantle these misconceptions and provide a foundational understanding of the true mechanics of breath. We'll delve into the crucial role of the diaphragm, exploring how its downward movement initiates inhalation and how it differs from the role of abdominal muscles in exhalation.
Furthermore, we'll debunk the myth that the lungs push the ribs open. In reality, healthy ribs track the lungs open due to the action of surrounding thoracic muscles. This understanding highlights the importance of rib cage flexibility in optimising breath capacity.
This course focuses on external breath, the muscular and visceral activity that drives the exchange of air.

Pre-requisite:

Watsu Basic or

2 day introduction

to the Aquatic bodywork

A 2 day Watsu® course with Georges Amir Künzler
The Importance of Understanding Breath in Watsu®
"Why this Class is Crucial for Practitioners: Understanding False Pretences and the True Nature of Breath"

Water Breath Dance

We'll explore three key components:

Muscular Activity:

We'll meticulously study the intricate network of muscles involved in breathing, including those small, often overlooked muscles that significantly impact rib cage flexibility.
Through in-water exploration, we'll discover how to effectively stretch and mobilise these muscles, enhancing breath efficiency and range of motion.

Posture:

We'll examine how different postures influence breathing patterns.
For example, hyperextended spines can trap residual air, while forward curves restrict lung capacity.
Watsu will serve as an invaluable tool for experimenting with these postural influences and guiding clients towards optimal breath-supporting postures.
We'll also explore "breathing gestures," such as knee-to-chest movements that compress the abdomen, and arm lifts that expand the rib cage, to further refine breath control.

Mobility:

While there are no inherently "good" or "bad" breathing patterns, limiting ourselves to habitual patterns can restrict our breath capacity and lead to rigidity, particularly in the rib cage.
This rigidity can have serious consequences, including increased risk of herniated discs and rib dislocations.
Watsu's three-dimensional environment provides an unparalleled opportunity to cultivate deep mobility within the rib cage through massage, stretches, and compression techniques