ABSTRACT
In everyday life breathing is what is termed a reflex act, which means that the movements are carried out without the will being involved. In breathing exercises, however, the rhythm of the normal breathing cycle is disturbed. Lateral movement is to be encouraged and vertical movement resisted. The diaphragm forms the base of the conical cage. It arches up into the thorax so that it presents a convex surface to the lungs. Thus, a full breath is taken by the simultaneous movements of the ribs and diaphragm. In his book My Life in Art, Stanislavski describes how an actor so schooled himself that the muscular tensions to which he was prone disappeared the moment he made his entrance on to the stage. The mind, however, should actively be recording the ease resulting from such deep relaxation so that the sensation may be recalled at will. Logically, these remarks on relaxation should have preceded those on breathing.
