We can move the spine from side to side or laterally. When we move the spine towards the right we are opening the left side body and when we move the spine to the left we are opening the right side body. This opens the side ribs and allows the lungs a greater capacity to expand sideways.

Action

Moving Laterally with the Breath -

Pairing the Breath with Lateral Spinal Movement

1. Stand tall with the feet hips with apart
2. Inhale and lift the right arm overhead, the inner arm coming towards the ear
3. Exhale and bend towards the left. Feel the right side ribs open as the right lung fills.
4. Inhale coming back to center.
5. Exhale, release the right arm back to your side.

Try this movement again, this time lifting the left arm and expanding the left side body. You can take several breaths on each side or simply move with each inhale and each exhale, feeling how the movement and the breath work together in a yogic flow.