Ep. 66: Understanding Rib Flare—and How to Shift It Through Movement and Breath

Modern Body: Pilates & Movement for Life

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We all have our posture quirks—from the telltale “mom stance” to the puffed-up military chest—but some patterns linger long enough to create ripple effects throughout the body. In this episode of Modern Body, Aly DiRoma pulls back the curtain on one of the most overlooked (but highly impactful) postural adaptations: rib flare.

Whether your ribcage feels like it’s trying to escape your body or your breath never quite feels full, rib flare might be playing a hidden role. Aly breaks down what rib flare actually is, why it shows up during life events like pregnancy or injury recovery, and how to gently unravel it through breathing, alignment, and thoughtful movement.

From quirky bra fits to persistent back tension, Aly shares real-life examples that’ll have you nodding in recognition. This episode is part anatomy lesson, part body detective story—and completely empowering.

“You don’t have to fix your rib flare overnight. But you absolutely can change it—with breath, alignment, and intention.” —Aly DiRoma

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What rib flare really is (and why it often flies under the radar)
• How pregnancy, stress, injury, and daily habits all influence rib positioning
• The two primary types of rib flare: positional and angular
• How your ribcage and pelvis relationship sets the stage for your posture
• Why your breath—especially the exhale—is the secret weapon in postural rebalancing
• Simple strategies (including props, breathing cues, and class suggestions) to begin resetting your ribcage from the inside out

Curious where to start? Aly recommends beginning with classes like Spaciousness, Inner Work, or Scapular Stability in the Modern Body Studio—all designed to support better breathing, stronger alignment, and gentle re-patterning. Start your 7-day free trial to explore more.