--- title: BSMPG Blog | Leon Chaitow description: Leon Chaitow | BSMPG is New England's leader in continuing education. --- [![BSMPG Logo](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BSMPG_June2016-theme_Images/logo.png?width=570&name=logo.png "BSMPG Logo")](https://www.bsmpg.com/) # Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC Blog ## [Breathing and the Diaphragm by Chaitow](https://www.bsmpg.com/Blog/bid/97406/Breathing-and-the-Diaphragm-by-Chaitow) Posted by Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group on Mon, Jul 1, 2013 @ 07:07 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)     ![Diaphragm](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-208292366-jpg/images/images.jpg)   **The Diaphragm and the Phrenic Nerve**   "The diaphragm is the muscular equivalent of an umbilical cord, linking us to the environment: it keeps us alive by pulling fresh air into the lungs and returning used air back out into the world.  This process is not a mindless one, but is very responsive to our thinking. The word 'diaphragm' is related to the Greek word for mind: the diaphragm muscle is controlled by the phrenic nerve, and its Greek root, phren, designates the mind as well as the muscle. The Merriam-Webster dictionary (1991) definition of the word 'phrenic' is the following: '1. Of or relating to the diaphragm. 2. Of or relating to the mind.' Considering such an odd dual meaning, one might conclude that the Greeks were confused, but the confusion is rather in the modern mind which attempts to separate mind and body into separate compartments. Ancient physicians had only their native senses for observing the action of breathing in themselves and others. This provided what no modern mechanical breathing monitor can offer - simultaneous registration of mental and breathing processes. With this opportunity for observation, parallels and correlations could be drawn between moments of emotion and changes in breathing rate, depth, regularity, and bodily placement. Interruption of attention, style of focusing, state of calmness or distress, degree of mental effort - such 'mental' variables can be observed in oneself and to a degree in others. These variables all interact with the breathing pattern via the phrenic nerve." pg. 112 **Multidisciplinary Approaches to Breathing Pattern Disorders by Leon Chaitow  ** 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.bsmpg.com/Blog/bid/97406/Breathing-and-the-Diaphragm-by-Chaitow#comments-listing) Topics: [Leon Chaitow](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leon-chaitow), [Breathing Disorders](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/breathing-disorders) [All posts](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/all) ### Barefoot in Boston now available on Amazon.com “The residents who live here, according to the parable, began noticing increasing numbers of drowning people caught in the river’s swift current and so went to work inventing ever more elaborate technologies to resuscitate them. So preoccupied were these heroic villagers with rescue and treatment that they never thought to look UPSTREAM to see who was pushing the victims in.” Learn what is hurting your feet and your performance, and how to finally train your feet the way they were meant to be.[![barefoot in boston](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/file-5407262-png/images/barefoot.kindle.png)](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=barefoot+in+boston&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Abarefoot+in+boston&ajr=8) ### Follow Me ### Subscribe to BLOG by Email ### Most Popular Posts ### Purchase Charlie Weingroff's DVD HERE! [![tequalsr2 lr](https://www.bsmpg.com/hs-fs/hub/52884/file-865742913.jpg?width=284&height=115&name=file-865742913.jpg)](http://tequalsr2.com?family=70efdf2ec9b086079795c442636b55fb) ### Browse by Tag - [achilles pain (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/achilles-pain) - [acute pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/acute-pain) - [Adam Naylor (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adam-naylor) - [Adriaan Louw (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/adriaan-louw) - [Al Smith (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/al-smith) - [Alan Grodin (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-grodin) - [Alan Stein (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/alan-stein) - [allen gruver (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/allen-gruver) - [Andrea Hudy (25)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andrea-hudy) - [Andreo Spina (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andreo-spina) - [Andy O'Brien (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/andy-obrien) - [ankle problems (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ankle-problems) - [Announcements (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/announcements) - [Art Horne (132)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/art-horne) - [athletic trainer (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-trainer) - [athletic training (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training) - [athletic training books (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-books) - [athletic training conference (209)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/athletic-training-conference) - [autonomy (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/autonomy) - [Barefoot in Boston (40)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-in-boston) - [barefoot running (15)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-running) - [barefoot strength training (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-strength-training) - [barefoot training (18)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/barefoot-training) - [baseball conference (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/baseball-conference) - [basketball conference (153)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-conference) - [basketball performance (70)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-performance) - [Basketball Related (37)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-related) - [basketball resources (76)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-resources) - [basketball seminar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-seminar) - [Basketball Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training) - [basketball training programs (84)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-training-programs) - [basketball videos (21)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/basketball-videos) - [Ben Prentiss (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ben-prentiss) - [Bill Knowles (48)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bill-knowles) - [blunder (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/blunder) - [Bobby Alejo (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bobby-alejo) - [Boo Schexnayder (10)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boo-schexnayder) - [boston hockey conference (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-conference) - [boston hockey summit (101)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-hockey-summit) - [boston marathon (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-marathon) - [Boston Promise (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/boston-promise) - [Brandon Bovee (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brandon-bovee) - [Breathing Disorders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/breathing-disorders) - [Brendon Ziegler (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brendon-ziegler) - [Brian McCormick (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brian-mccormick) - [Brijesh Patel (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brijesh-patel) - [Brook Lopez (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/brook-lopez) - [Bruce Williams (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bruce-williams) - [BSMPG (79)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg) - [BSMPG baseball conference (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-baseball-conference) - [BSMPG Summar Seminar (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summar-seminar) - [BSMPG Summer Seminar (119)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/bsmpg-summer-seminar) - [Cal Dietz (45)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cal-dietz) - [Catapult (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/catapult) - [Charlie Weingroff (68)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/charlie-weingroff) - [children's hospital boston (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/childrens-hospital-boston) - [chris chase (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-chase) - [Chris Joyce (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-joyce) - [Chris Powers (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chris-powers) - [Christopher McDougall (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/christopher-mcdougall) - [Chronic Pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/chronic-pain) - [Clare Frank (22)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/clare-frank) - [Cleveland Cavs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/cleveland-cavs) - [concussion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion) - [concussion management (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/concussion-management) - [Conditioning-Agility-Speed (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conditioning-agility-speed) - [conference video (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/conference-video) - [Core Stability Training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/core-stability-training) - [Craig Liebenson (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/craig-liebenson) - [customer service (28)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/customer-service) - [Dan Boothby (17)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-boothby) - [Dan Gilbert (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dan-gilbert) - [Daniel Coyle (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-coyle) - [Daniel Lieberman (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/daniel-lieberman) - [Dartfish (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dartfish) - [Dave Tenney (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dave-tenney) - [deadlift Art Horne (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/deadlift-art-horne) - [Derek Hansen (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hansen) - [Derek Hanson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/derek-hanson) - [Devan McConnell (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/devan-mcconnell) - [development (31)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/development) - [discipline (33)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/discipline) - [DNS (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns) - [DNS course (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dns-course) - [Don Callahan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/don-callahan) - [Dorsiflexion (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dorsiflexion) - [Dr. DiMuro (8)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dr-dimuro) - [Dunk Shot (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dunk-shot) - [dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/dynamic-neuromuscular-stabilization) - [Eric Oetter (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/eric-oetter) - [Erik Helland (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/erik-helland) - [everything basketball (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/everything-basketball) - [evidence based medicine (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/evidence-based-medicine) - [Fascial Distortion Model (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fascial-distortion-model) - [FAT-Tool (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fat-tool) - [female basketball (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-basketball) - [female strength training (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/female-strength-training) - [Fenway Park (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fenway-park) - [Fergus Connolly (23)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fergus-connolly) - [Flexibility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flexibility) - [flow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/flow) - [FMS (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/fms) - [Food Rules (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/food-rules) - [foot fracture (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-fracture) - [foot pain (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-pain) - [Foot Strike (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/foot-strike) - [football off-season workouts (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/football-off-season-workouts) - [functional movement screen (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-movement-screen) - [Functional Performance Training (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-performance-training) - [Functional Range Release (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/functional-range-release) - [George Mumford (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/george-mumford) - [Gerry Ramogida (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gerry-ramogida) - [Good to Great (43)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/good-to-great) - [Gray Cook (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/gray-cook) - [Guest Author (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/guest-author) - [Health (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health) - [Health & Wellness (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/health-wellness) - [Hip Hinge (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hip-hinge) - [hockey conference (14)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-conference) - [hockey DVD (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-dvd) - [hockey videos (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/hockey-videos) - [Human Locomotion (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/human-locomotion) - [Inigo Mujika (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inigo-mujika) - [innercity weightlifting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/innercity-weightlifting) - [InsideTracker (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/insidetracker) - [inspiratory muscle training (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/inspiratory-muscle-training) - [integrated care (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/integrated-care) - [iowa football (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/iowa-football) - [Irene Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/irene-davis) - [james anderson (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/james-anderson) - [Jay DeMayo (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-demayo) - [jay-z (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jay-z) - [Jeff Cubos (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jeff-cubos) - [jerry mcguire (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jerry-mcguire) - [Jim Snider (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jim-snider) - [jj barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jj-barea) - [Joel Jamieson (12)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/joel-jamieson) - [John Berardi (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-berardi) - [John DiMuro (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-dimuro) - [john sullivan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-sullivan) - [john wooden (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/john-wooden) - [Jonas Sahratian (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jonas-sahratian) - [Jose Fernandez (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-fernandez) - [jose juan barea (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/jose-juan-barea) - [Keiser (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keiser) - [Keith D'Amelio (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/keith-damelio) - [Kettlebell Instruction (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kettlebell-instruction) - [Kevin Durant (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-durant) - [Kevin Neeld (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/kevin-neeld) - [knee pain (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/knee-pain) - [Landon Evans (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/landon-evans) - [Leaders (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders) - [Leaders in Performance (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leaders-in-performance) - [Leadership (30)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leadership) - [LeBron James (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/lebron-james) - [Leon Chaitow (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/leon-chaitow) - [Logan Schwartz (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/logan-schwartz) - [managing (11)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/managing) - [Marathon Monday (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marathon-monday) - [Marc Bubbs (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marc-bubbs) - [Marco Cardinale (26)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marco-cardinale) - [Mark Cuban (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-cuban) - [Mark Lindsay (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-lindsay) - [Mark Scappaticci (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-scappaticci) - [Mark Toomey (6)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mark-toomey) - [Marvin Chun (13)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/marvin-chun) - [mastery (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mastery) - [Matt Jordan (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/matt-jordan) - [mental toughness (7)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-toughness) - [mental training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mental-training) - [Mike Boyle (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-boyle) - [Mike Curtis (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-curtis) - [Mike Davis (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mike-davis) - [Mobility (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mobility) - [moneyball (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/moneyball) - [Mosley (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/mosley) - [motivation (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motivation) - [Motor Control (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-control) - [Motor Learning (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/motor-learning) - [Movement (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement) - [movement impairments (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/movement-impairments) - [NBA (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nba) - [Neil Rampe (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/neil-rampe) - [networking (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/networking) - [nike free (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/nike-free) - [Noraxon (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/noraxon) - [northeastern (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern) - [northeastern university (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/northeastern-university) - [off season training (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/off-season-training) - [orthopedic assessment (3)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-assessment) - [orthopedic risk factors (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/orthopedic-risk-factors) - [Ownership (16)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/ownership) - [Pat Riley (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pat-riley) - [patient centered care (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patient-centered-care) - [Patrick Ward (4)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/patrick-ward) - [Pavel Kolar (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-kolar) - [Pavel Tsatsouline (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/pavel-tsatsouline) - [Perform Better (1)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/perform-better) - [Performance Directors Meeting (2)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-directors-meeting) - [performance testing (5)](https://www.bsmpg.com/blog/topic/performance-testing) © 2020 Boston Sports Medicine and Performance Group, LLC