'Tension Helix' Breath - Stability for your body

A Ship's Mast - an outdated picture of stability

Years ago it was said that the human spine was responsible for carrying weight in the trunk and the comparison between it and the mast of a ship was often made. But once you look at this in reality and not written in an out-dated anatomy book, you will see that it is not very realistic. It would mean that an 80-kilogram person would have just under 790,000 N/m² (Newtons per square meter) pressure on the vertebral disk just under the L-5 (5th lumbar vertebra). 

If we take this example of the mast of a ship further we would have nothing more than two muscles stabilizing the spine: the tension of the vertical muscles of the back and abdomen respectively. If this were the case, we would be placing yet more pressure on the lowest vertebral disc. If our design were truly so, it would be a wonder that so few herniated discs are documented, as this enormous pressure would be almost impossible to withstand!

Floating tension - learning from the elephant's trunk

An elephant can raise its trunk in the air even though it has no bone running through it. What makes this possible is an  incredibly clever trick of nature: myofascial layers interwoven in the pattern of a double helix weave their way throughout the length of the trunk. When they are active, these layers give the trunk even more strength and length. The elephant can stretch its trunk high up in the air without a single bone to stabilize it. 

And it is exactly this pattern that we find in the trunk of practically all vertebrates. For the human spine, the double helix works as a stabilizer. This pressure is converted into tension within the helical double fascia. The vortices are not pressing against one another but rather above one another creating a sort of floating tension. 

Breath as a gateway to the opposing double helix

As an overview, we can see  four layers of superimposed, opposing double helices.  The two innermost layers are closely linked to respiration: 

1. Respiratory double helix: The deepest myofascial layer includes three main diaphragms: the base of the mouth, the diaphragm of breath and the pelvic floor. The first two are connected from the front (infrahyoid musculature, fascia pericardia), while the lower two are connected from the back (crus diaphragmatica) which run perpendicular to each other. Tension is transferred from one level to the next. The three diaphragms are enveloped by the transverse myofasical lining of the abdomen (transverse abdominus) and the chest (fascia and transversus thoracis). To imagine this as a double helix, we have to have to visualize this rather abstractly. 
2. Spiral myofascial lines: The next layer lays directly atop the deep myofasical layer of the respiratory double helix. In this case the spiral effect is easy to identify. The outer layer runs diagonally from the upper backside of the body to the frontal bottom side (Mm. Intercostales and Mm. Abdominis Externi). At the midline, it intersects with the opposite side and thus becomes the inner layer (Mm. Intercostales und Mm. Abdominis Interni). From there it continues from the upper front side to the lower back side. At the midline of the body (at the spinous process), it intersects once again at the opposite side and then continues running as the superficial layer. 

The two opposing double helices form an inseparable myofascial and functional unit. The fascia runs as an unbroken line of tension throughout the entire helix. When a muscle contracts, it distributes this tension across the complete myofascial helix in which it is located and then transfers the tension to the other helix. 

Breathing with floating tension for healthy, more elastic fascia 

To be healthy, a muscles requires tension and relaxation. It is vital to have both of these aspects because only in this way can the fascia be nourished properly. To maintain elasticity, fascia needs to be stretched and relaxed. If it does not, it cannot maintain its innate elasticity.  As the saying goes, use it or lose it. 

The human torso requires constant stabilization in order to convert pressure into tension through this helical system. Only when this is working can the spine be protected from this load. 

In order to coordinate this seemingly contradictory demand, each of the muscular parts associated with the said individual sections of the double helix stretch while other segments stretch. The result is a constant and well-distributed tension across the entire helix. But in each of these individual segments, muscular and elastic tension alternate in a pulsing manner. 

The rhythm of this pulsing arises from the diaphragm, which is the strongest muscle of respiration. The deeper we breathe, the more vibration within the breath penetrates the more superficial helical myofascial layers of the torso. The breath brings life to seemingly static tension. This is why we are able to stay upright so long without fatigue. The intervertebral discs are protected from pressure loading. 

Exercises to support stability and elasticity

With the following sequences you can systematically activate the four double helices. In doing so you can maintain spinal health, improve your posture and at the same time develop a lot of power for demanding yoga poses. 

Bellows breath

Find an upright seat and make sure that your spine maintains its natural curvature. In order to maintain the natural lumbar curve (anterior pelvic tilt), it often helps to elevate your seat on a pillow, a block or a chair. 

Place your hands on either side of your abdomen so that the thumb can easily reach the floating ribs. Inhale and let your belly relax and stretch outwards as your fill your lungs with air. On the exhale, draw your stomach inward from both above and below the navel (Fig. 1). 

As you proceed inhaling passively and exhaling forcefully, start to observe the shape change of the body as you inhale and exhale. Keep practicing until you can sense fatigue in the inner layers of your abdominal muscles. You may also be able to recognize the activation of the double helix of respiration (pelvic floor, diaphragm and the base of the mouth) as you breathe.

Bellows breath in prone, supine and all-fours 

Lay flat on your back. Place your hands on the upper abdomen as described before. Again, exhale forcefully while drawing the upper and lower abdomen inwards, and inhale passively (Fig. 2). 

After a while, reverse your position with the ground by laying on your stomach. As you exhale you will try to life the entire abdomen above the floor and as you inhale you will let your belly fall back into the floor (Fig. 3). 

After a few repetitions, switch to all-fours taking care to line up the knees and hips and the wrists and shoulders. Again, following the same procedure in a new perspective exhale with power and inhale passively. Keep going until you sense mild fatigue in the deepest layers of myofascial muscle (Fig. 4). 

Four-zone breathing

Return to an upright seat of your choice. Again pay attention to any changes you might want to make to maintain proper pelvic alignment. Place one fist on the lower abdomen between the navel and pubic bone. The other hand is placed opened on the upper abdomen. Breathe slowly. Draw the low belly inwards and breath into your hand with your upper abdomen so that your back seems to arch (Fig. 5). 

Going further with your next inhale place your hands on the side body at the ribs. Breathe into  your hands to lift the ribs laterally (Fig. 6). 

Take the breath even further towards the back body. Place a hand between the shoulder blades and breath into that space. Your thoracic spine will likely round a bit. 

Deepening the breath yet again, place a hand on your sternum and breathe into your hand as you chest lifts as you inhale (Fig. 7). 

Start exhaling from the upper abdomen first. Then continue exhaling in the side body, the back body and the sternum. Use your hands as support to give you a sense of space and where your body can move. This is a great way to train your body to sense the movement of breath and to be more familiar with the muscular activation associated with it. 

Keep going until you can clearly recognize the activity of the deep double helix. The opposing helices are directly recruited during  the movement of respiration. 

Four-zone breathing in supine, prone and plank 

Lie down on your back and continue the breath exercise as described above. By changing your orientation to a supine position you should be able to clearly sense into the back body as you breathe (Fig. 8). 

Turn over onto your belly and continue the breathing exercise in a prone position. Here follow the movements with your hands and try to give as much time and space to each of the four areas (Fig. 9). 

Finally set yourself up in the top of a pushup position, taking care to line up the shoulders and wrists. The exercise can be done on the forearms if this brings undue strain to the wrists. Again breath into the four walls evenly and deeply. (Fig. 10).

Enjoy and have fun practicing!