Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing: Enhance your Lymphatic Massage Experience
- Yolima
- Sep 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 4
Are You Really Breathing?
Interestingly, most of my clients aren’t breathing as effectively as they could be. The truth is, most people are shallow breathers.
Here’s a quick demonstration:
collarbone and the other over your
Place one hand just below your belly button.
Now breathe normally.
Which hand moves? If you’re like most non-singers, you’ll notice your top hand rising while your belly hand stays still. That means you are a shallow breather.
Think of it like this: You’ve got access to a gallon-sized jug of breath, but you’re only sipping from a little 32–64 oz bottle. You’re constantly refilling instead of drawing from the full capacity of your lungs.
Why does that matter?
The Lymphatic System + Breath
The lymphatic system, while it also works closely with your circulatory system, it doesn’t have a built-in pump like the heart. Instead, it relies on muscle movement (walking, stretching, vibration) and, most importantly, your breath to keep things flowing.
Fun Fast Lymphatic Fact:
Did you know you have over 800 lymph nodes in your abdomen? That’s one of the reasons we spend extra time massaging the belly area with both gentle and deeper pressure, because it’s a powerhouse for your immune system.
Every time you practice deep belly breathing, you’re giving those 800+ nodes an internal massage, helping your lymph flow even more smoothly.
That’s why learning to breathe deeply is such a gift to your body and to enhancing your Lymphatic Massage experience.
Deep Diaphragmatic Breathing
Here are two simple ways to practice:
1. The Book Method
(Remember: this is normal breathing, just a bit deeper. You should never feel lightheaded.)
Find a comfortable position (lying down, sitting, or standing).
Place one hand on your abdomen and the other just below your collarbone.
When done correctly, your top hand stays still as you breathe and the bottom hand up (outward) and down (inward)
Imagine placing a book on your belly. As you inhale, gently lift the book toward the sky—like your belly is floating up and out of the water.
Exhale slowly, letting it settle back down.
2. The Balloon Method
(Again: gentle, natural, no straining breathing necessary.)
Get comfortable in any position.
Place both hands on your belly.
Inhale slowly and imagine your belly inflating like a balloon.
As you breathe in, your hands should expand apart. As you exhale, they’ll come back together.
During Your Massage
Practicing diaphragmatic breathing during your session can help you get more out of your massage. A great goal is to focus on this type of breath every time your therapist moves to a new body part. It helps your body soften, your lymph flow improves, and your whole system relaxes more deeply.
Lymphatic Massage is a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience from the inside out.
In Health and Wellness
The Trillium Team