Crocodile (Chair)

Crocodile is a gentle resting posture that supports grounding and is an effective way to bring awareness to both long breathing (abdominal breathing), wide breathing (diaphragmatic breathing) and deep breathing (chest breathing).

When practiced in a chair, your hands rest lightly on the diaphragm to bring awareness to the natural rhythm of your breath. This posture encourages long abdominal breathing, wide diaphragmatic breathing, and deep chest breathing—all of which strengthen the diaphragm, one of the body’s most important muscles for respiration.

By turning the senses inward, Crocodile allows the mind to rest while calming the nervous system. It helps increase lung capacity, supports digestion, and prepares the body for breathing practices with greater ease. This is also a restorative posture that supports the natural curve of the low back; if there is discomfort, a pillow can be used for added support.

Benefits: Strengthens the diaphragm, promotes diaphragmatic breathing, increases lung capacity, stimulates digestion, calms the nervous system, and quiets the mind.

Contraindications: Avoid traditional Crocodile if you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm or mobility concerns; instead, use the chair version with hands resting on the diaphragm.