But I have seen many exceptions to this as a improperly trained belly breath can also become an habitual distraction and breathing restriction. Watching the breath is good for many to focus and get calm but can develop into an ongoing distraction. Postures can expand or distribute the breath as well as cause the breathing restriction they hope to eliminate. These blocks are tensions and postures in the body that restrict the natural flow of the breathing energy called life-force, chi, ki, qi, ha, prana, pneuma, elan vital and many, many others. Breathing awareness, physical assessments, and sound production quality and quantity are the primary markers for positive change of the breath.
Many techniques exist to modify, direct or observe the activity of the breath.
Each has its purpose and limitation. Any one exercise you do with the breath will, after enough repetitions, restrict the diaphragm and rib cages freedom and fullness. When we forcibly take deeper belly breaths we also partially stimulate the sympathetic nervous system because we are efforting the activity. Breath awareness' is more of a sitting or walking meditation and a pretty good one except I have had clients tell me that to follow their breath made them extremely anxious and others that just couldn't do it due to stress and internal distractions. Chi Kung and Tai chi have long been favorite exercises with many positive benefits Similar benefits can stem from other ways of breathing development.