The ribs appeared during the period in evolution when we were fish. And although they weren’t primarily designed for breathing, but rather movement, today they’re also quite crucial for optimal breathing!
If the ribs are stiff, we can’t move the lungs to their full capacity. And although we don’t need that ability all the time, we do need it. Especially for the professional breathers amongst you. When we don’t move part our ourselves, we don’t feel it so well. And then we move it less, and then feel it less still. Until we have areas of our ribs that we might not have moved in a long time.
Both ribs and spine need to move when you breathe
If an area of your ribs isn’t moving, it’s likely the spine is also inhibited too. The spine is supposed to be responding (subtly) to the movements of breath, it’s one of the things that keeps your spine supple. So having full mobility of the ribs is important. If something isn’t moving when you’re breathing, it’s likely its not helping when you want to do bigger movements either.
Greater body awareness can help you feel what you’re moving in more detail. And if it can move better, it can vibrate better, leading to you making a freer sound, whatever the instrument.
the Feldenkrais Method with Emma Alter 