Here's a short breathing exploration that gets the ribs moving:
Lie on the floor, knees bent, or sit comfortably, feeling your sitting bones, and with your feet on the floor or a support that allows your back to be relaxed into length. Place one hand on your chest, the other on your belly. If you're comfortable, close your eyes.
1. Inhale and feel the movement under each hand. Where do you move more? What area is easier to notice?
2. Exhale and notice the movement. Take all the time you need for each inhale (inspiration!) and each exhale.
3. Inhale and exhale a few times, allowing your belly to expand as you inhale, release as you exhale.
4. On the next inspiratioon as your belly expands, hold your breath and gently "move" the air by pulling in your belly and allowing the chest to lift. Feel with your hands. Release the chest and let the belly expand again. Exhale when you need to. Repeat a few times and see if you can get in a few of these "seesaw" movements while holding your breath.
5. Eventually, explore the seesaw movements while breathing normally. Use your muscles to move your ribs independently of your inhalation/exhalation.
Appreciate your breathing and the sensations it stimulates. Now that's inspiration!
