Are you breathing intelligently?

Location of Movement (LOM): Where on your body do you feel the most movement when you breathe? What direction is it going in? What sort of a breather are you: Vertical, Horizontal, or a little of both, that is to say a Hybrid? Watch yourself or have someone else look at you. If you are puffing up your chest and shoulders are rising, you are a Vertical. If there is no activation of your neck and upper pecs (you can see this yourself by looking in the mirror) and the only expansion is between your nipples to your hips, you are a Horizontal. Most adults are pure Vertical Breathers or a Hybrid. Few, if any, are pure Horzontal Breathers without training.

Measuring your “excursion” or “respiratory amplitude.” Focus on two numbers: Inhale and note that number, exhale and note that number. It’s as easy as measuring a neck for a shirt, a waist for pants, or chest circumference for a bra. See below for the specifics.