Diaphragmatic breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing, abdominal breathing, belly breathing,^[1] or deep breathing, is a breathing technique that is done by contracting the diaphragm, a muscle located horizontally between the thoracic cavity and abdominal cavity. Air enters the lungs as the diaphragm strongly contracts, but unlike traditional relaxed breathing (eupnea) the intercostal muscles of the chest do minimal work in this process. The belly also expands during this type of breathing to make room for the contraction of the diaphragm. ^[2]

Animation of diaphragmatic breathing with the diaphragm shown in green

See also

• Breath
• Buteyko method
• Circular breathing
• Kussmaul breathing
• Pranayama – a traditional Yogic practice of slowing and extending the breaths, used during meditation
• Shallow breathing – a type of breathing that is mutually exclusive to diaphragmatic breathing and is associated with multiple anxiety disorders
• Wim Hof method
• Complete breathing