Floating Ribs

I studied dance, drawing, architecture, and meditation, and only now am I getting around to appreciating the elegant design of the ribs. 

While the purpose of the ribs is thought to protect the lungs and heart, the ribs are actually designed as an atmospheric holding structure. They are the scaffolding for a tent construction and the body membrane is the fabric that hugs on top.

When you’re breathing, you’re not sucking in air like a vacuum cleaner. With each inhale, your diaphragm underneath the lungs contracts down and pulls air in from the atmosphere like a vacuum of space.

The 12 pairs of ribs are categorized into True and False Ribs. The True Ribs are the first 7 that attach to the center Sternum. The rest of the ribs are False Ribs, each connected to the rib above. The last few within the false ribs are only attached from the Spine and these are called Floating Ribs.

Floating Ribs are less about the breathing mechanisms and are more for muscle attachment, protecting the kidneys, and supporting the diaphragm. You can feel your Floating Ribs in an easy lateral rib expansion breathwork.

Floating Ribs appreciation grants better posture because it's not the Spine doing all the heavy lifting, it’s the activated rib cage, and as this floats up, everything else aligns effortlessly.

Printable PDFs

Printable PDFs

Printable PDFs

Printable PDFs

July 14th, 2024