You will often hear yoga instructors talk about the importance of breathing while doing the exercise. Most of them state that the breathing is more important than doing the motion. Why are big breaths so important, from an osteopathic anatomy perspective?
Anatomically the spine straightens out with every big breath in. Going to the regions of the spine, this means the cervical spine will flex, the thoracic spine will extend, the lumbar spine will flex and the sacrum will extend, or (counter nutate).
The ribs raise every single time a big breath in occurs, and then lower on the exhale.
These motions of both the spine and the ribs allow the small muscles connecting vertebrae to vertebrae to go on tension and off tension, which is great for the overall well being of the muscles, by affecting the reflex loops sent by the nerves around the tendons to the central nervous system.
The amazing dome shaped muscle the diaphragm, is responsible for unconscious breathing, and contributes to conscious big breaths. This muscle has many holes in it, which are passageways for many nerves, arteries, veins, lymphatics, and viscera. There are theories that every time a big breath and out occurs, motion through this diaphragm is easier for everything passing through
The relaxation of the small muscles of the spine, and the additional advantages given due to the movement of the diaphragm, are a few of the many great advantages to taking big breaths in and out.