Belly breathing is also called diaphragmatic breathing. The diaphragm plays an important role in breathing. The diaphragm is a dome shaped muscle which is at the base of the lungs, at the bottom of our ribcage. When we inhale it contracts and moves downward and creates space in the chest cavity and allows the lungs to expand. As we exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and it moves up in the chest cavity. It’s in this process that we are able to take a full breath. In order to take a full breath, the breath needs to begin at the belly. It is important for this to happen for there to be a full intake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide. If the breath begins at the chest, the breath we take will not be a full breath. So if you find yourself sucking your stomach in and taking your breath, know that you are not taking a full breath. That is a breath that is beginning at the chest and not allowing the lungs to expand fully.
With belly/diaphragmatic breathing, our heart rate slows down and our blood pressure can become stabilized. Our digestion is better, our nervous system calms down and we can sleep better. It creates a sense of relaxation in the body. It is in this state of relaxation where the possibility of healing happens.