Hi, Ted. I spent a lot of time working with the Taoist Breathing CDs and I also did several Longevity Breathing workshops and classes, so the side breathing is not new for me. It’s an actual expansion of the area above the hip bone and under the ribs. It feels a little like my belly is a wheel and it’s expanding outward when I inhale.
When I raise the midriff, I put my attention there and let the breath gently left it. Then I try to have it remain lifted on the exhale. This kind of lifting, in this area as well as many others, is something I’ve done a fair amount of so it doesn’t present any big challenge for me.
The key, for me, is really relax the area you want the breath to enter, and then feel as deeply as you can into that area. When I quiet down inside and feel what’s there instead of think about what’s there, my awareness grows more clear, like a veil is being lifted.
Hope this helps.