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Step 1
Include gentle inversions in your yoga routine, such as downward facing dog, the dolphin pose and the extended puppy pose. These poses open the shoulders and release the intercostal muscles of the rib cage to relieve pressure on the diaphragm and increase breathing capacity.
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Step 2
Work on yoga poses which strengthen the upper abdominal muscles, which helps you to better control the muscles of the diaphragm. Poses that strengthen the muscles around the diaphragm include the sphinx pose, the half frog pose, the plank in all its variations and the warrior series.
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Step 3
Practice yoga poses that open the front of the chest to target the diaphragm. Poses include the cat pose, the cow pose, the bridge pose and the triangle pose.
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Step 4
Reduce stress on the diaphragm and stimulate blood flow by practicing inversion poses. As you advance, practice more challenging inversions, such as the headstand, the feathered peacock or the scorpion pose. However, for beginner and intermediate yoga students, even a supported shoulder stand will target the diaphragm.
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Step 5
Finish your yoga routine with meditation poses which focus on your breath and strengthen the muscles of the diaphragm. Whether sitting in the lotus pose or in the bound angle pose, practice yogic breathing which targets the diaphragm.
