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Understanding Diaphragmatic Breathing

• What Is It?
• How to Do It

Tips for Getting Started

Frequently asked questions.

Your diaphragm is a muscle that sits at the bottom of your lungs to help you breathe deeply. During normal inhalation, your diaphragm tightens and moves downward. During normal exhalation, the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward in the chest cavity. 

Diaphragmatic breathing —also known as "belly breathing"—is a technique that improves the amount of oxygen that enters your blood from your lungs with each breath. Diaphragmatic breathing reduces your body's stress response, making you feel more relaxed.

This article discusses what diaphragmatic breathing is, how to perform it, and tips for getting started.

What Is Diaphragmatic Breathing?

Diaphragmatic breathing teaches you to breathe deeper into your belly, rather than taking shallow breaths in your chest. When you breathe in, your lungs need to expand to fully fill with air to bring oxygen into your body. As you breathe out, your body gets rid of a waste product called carbon dioxide.

Shallow breathing in your chest limits the amount that your lungs can stretch when you breathe in and prevents you from breathing out all of the stale air in your lungs. This type of breathing often occurs when you are under stress .

Your body's sympathetic nervous system triggers a "fight or flight" response when you are stressed to help you react to a perceived danger. Diaphragmatic breathing activates a different part of your nervous system, called the parasympathetic nervous system , which has the opposite effect.

Is It Effective?

Diaphragmatic breathing has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety , depression, and stress. This technique also helps to decrease blood pressure, improve lung function, increase alertness, and decrease the production of stress hormones in your body.

How to Perform Diaphragmatic Breathing

Proper diaphragmatic breathing can take some time to learn. In the beginning, practice diaphragmatic breathing laying down. Once you've mastered the technique, you can do it just about anywhere.

• Lay on your back on a firm, comfortable surface.
• Bend your knees and put your feet flat on the surface.
• Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly, below your ribs.
• Breathe in slowly through your nose. Picture your belly filling with air, from the bottom up. Watch your hands as you breathe—only the hand on your belly should rise.
• Purse your lips as if you are blowing out candles and slowly breathe out. Your belly should deflate.

Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises

Once you've mastered basic diaphragmatic breathing, try these variations.

4-7-8 Breathing (Numbered Breathing)

• Sit up straight in a comfortable position.
• Breathe in slowly through your nose as you count to four.
• Hold your breath as you count to seven.
• Breathe out through your mouth as you slowly count to eight.

Box Breathing

• Sit up straight and close your eyes.
• Breathe in as you slowly count to four.
• Hold your breath for another slow count to four.
• Breathe out slowly as you count to four.
• Pause for another count of four before taking another breath in.
• Repeat three to four times.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

• Find a quiet environment.
• Lie down on a firm but comfortable surface and close your eyes.
• Tense the muscles in your hands as you slowly take a deep breath in.
• Relax your hands as you breathe out.
• Tighten the muscles in your forearms and wrists with the next breath.
• Relax these muscles as you breathe out.
• Continue this process, working your way up to your arms, neck, and face, then work your way down your legs.

Progressive muscle relaxation can also be performed using an audio recording to walk you through the steps.

Risks of Diaphragmatic Breathing

Diaphragmatic breathing is not typically harmful. However, if you have a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) or asthma , this type of breathing could make your breathing more difficult.

While you're learning how to do a diaphragmatic breathing exercise, set aside five to 10 minutes several times per day for practice. Once you've got the technique down, find ways to incorporate it into your daily schedule.

Be patient—diaphragmatic breathing takes practice and in the beginning it's even more difficult to do it correctly, especially if you're already stressed.

Diaphragmatic breathing, or belly breathing, is a deep breathing technique. This type of breathing increases the amount of oxygen delivered from your lungs to your blood. Diaphragmatic breathing triggers a response in your body that can decrease stress and lower blood pressure.

A Word From Verywell

Diaphragmatic breathing is a stress management tool that can be performed virtually anywhere, once you've mastered the basic technique. In the beginning, you might need to schedule deep breathing practice sessions. However, over time, deep breathing can become second nature.

Diaphragmatic breathing is better than shallow "chest breathing" that often occurs when a person is under stress.

Ideally, you should incorporate diaphragmatic breathing throughout your day. Practice sessions only need to last a few minutes at a time.

Diaphragm weakness can cause shortness of breath at rest and with activity. You might also feel tired most of the time and have difficulty sleeping.

Harvard Health Publishing. Learning diaphragmatic breathing .

Harvard Health Publishing. Understanding the stress response .

Ma X, Yue ZQ, Gong ZQ, et al. The effect of diaphragmatic breathing on attention, negative affect and stress in healthy adults .  Front Psychol . 2017;8:874. doi:10.3389%2Ffpsyg.2017.00874

Hamasaki H. Effects of diaphragmatic breathing on health: a narrative review .  Medicines (Basel) . 2020;7(10):65. doi:10.3390%2Fmedicines7100065

By Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT Dr, Bailey is a Virginia-based physical therapist and professor of anatomy and physiology with over a decade of experience.

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• v.17; 2022 Jan 12

Diaphragmatic excursion by ultrasound: reference values for the normal population; a cross-sectional study in Egypt

Ahmed e. kabil.

1 Chest Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

2 Chest Diseases Department, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

3 College of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia

Mahmoud Elsaeed

Houssam eldin hassanin, ibrahim h. yousef, heba h. eltrawy, ahmed m. ewis, ahmed aboseif, abdallah m. albalsha, sawsan elsawy, abdul rahman h. ali.

4 Mahatma Gandhi University, Meghalaya, India

Publisher's note: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Measurement of diaphragmatic motion by ultrasound is being utilized in different aspects of clinical practice. Defining reference values of the diaphragmatic excursion is important to identify those with diaphragmatic motion abnormalities. This study aimed to define the normal range of diaphragmatic motion (reference values) by Mmode ultrasound for the normal population.

Healthy volunteers were included in this study. Those with comorbidities, skeletal deformity, acute or chronic respiratory illness were excluded. Diaphragmatic ultrasound in the supine position was performed using a lowfrequency probe. The B-mode was applied for diaphragmatic identification, and the M-mode was employed for the recording of the amplitude of diaphragm contraction during quiet breathing, deep breathing and sniffing.

The study included 757 healthy subjects [478 men (63.14%) and 279 women (36.86%)] with normal spirometry and negative history of previous or current respiratory illness. Their mean age and BMI were 45.17 ±14.84 years and 29.36±19.68 (kg/m 2 ). The mean right hemidiaphragmatic excursion was 2.32±0.54, 5.54±1.26 and 2.90±0.63 for quiet breathing, deep breathing and sniffing, respectively, while the left hemidiaphragmatic excursion was 2.35±0.54, 5.30±1.21 and 2.97±0.56 cm for quiet breathing, deep breathing and sniffing, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between right and left diaphragmatic excursion among all studied subjects. The ratio of right to left diaphragmatic excursion during quiet breathing was (1.009±0.19); maximum 181% and minimum 28%. Only 19 cases showed a right to left ratio of less than 50% (5 men and 14 women). The diaphragmatic excursion was higher in males than females. There was a significant difference in diaphragmatic excursion among age groups. Age, sex and BMI significantly affected the diaphragmatic motion.

Conclusions

Diaphragmatic excursion values presented in this study can be used as reference values to detect diaphragmatic dysfunction in clinical practice. Diaphragmatic motion is affected by several factors including age, sex and body mass index.

Introduction

The diaphragm is the main muscle of respiration [ 1 ]. Diaphragmatic excursion is 1-2 cm during tidal breathing and 7-11 cm during deep inspiration [ 2 ]. The assessment of diaphragmatic function is important for diagnosis and follow up of various physiologic and pathologic conditions [ 1-4 ]. Several methods exist for the evaluation of diaphragmatic function. These methods include fluoroscopy [ 3 ], computed tomography [ 4 ], magnetic resonance imaging [ 2 ], and ultrasonography [ 5 ]. Thoracic ultrasound has been reported to be a useful tool for the examination of diaphragmatic function [ 6 ]. It is a bedside non-invasive tool that provides various techniques for evaluation of diaphragmatic function including measurement of diaphragmatic excursion and thickness as well as changes during different phases of inspiration [ 7 ]. Ultrasonography has been proved to be superior to fluoroscopy and can provide accurate measurement of diaphragmatic excursion [ 3 ]. Previous studies highlighted the lack of reference values for diaphragmatic excursion in the normal population which complicates diagnosing abnormal diaphragmatic motion in certain diseases. No data is available about diaphragmatic motion in the normal Egyptian population and no reference data are available to compare with. This study aimed to explore the normal diaphragmatic excursion in the Egyptian population by M-mode ultrasonography.

This is a cross-sectional study that initially included 780 participants. Twenty-three subjects were excluded due to poor images or failed visualization of one hemidiaphragm, rendering the finally included number 757 individuals (478 males and 279 females), all had normal lung functions with no history of chest disease. Smokers, those with acute respiratory illness, chronic respiratory disease, associated comorbidities, physical disability, abnormal pulmonary function tests or history of anesthesia within the past six months were excluded from the study.

Pulmonary functions were done using spirometry (Spirosift 5000; Fukuda Denshi, Beijing, China). The operator encouraged all subjects verbally to exhale as fast and as deep as possible. Each subject performed at least three technically accepted measurements, and the best of them was selected for statistical analysis. All measurements were performed according to ERS/ATS standards [ 7 ].

Diaphragmatic ultrasound

All sonographic examinations were done by the research team. Inter-operator and intra-operator variability were excellent (data not shown). Examinations were performed at quiet temperature (22-25C°). All subjects were asked to rest for 30 min before sonography. Ultrasonography was done using an ultrasound device (SSI6000; Sonoscape, Nanshan, China), while subjects located in the supine position. Examinations were performed using 3.5 MHz curvilinear probe. Each hemidiaphragm was first visualized by Bmode, then M-mode was used to evaluate diaphragmatic excursion in tidal breathing, deep breathing and sniff. The right hemidiaphragm was measured by positioning the probe between the midclavicular and midaxillary lines below the right costal margin (subcostal approach), using the liver as an acoustic window. The probe was directed medially, cephalic and dorsally. When the hemidiaphragm was well visualized, the M-mode was applied to measure the excursion [ 8 ]. The left hemidiaphragm was visualized using the spleen as an acoustic window. The probe was positioned between the left midclavicular and midaxillary lines below the left costal margin. The probe was directed in the same way as the right side [ 8 ]. Targeting to improve visualization of the left hemidiaphragm, and overcome the small acoustic window of spleen, the probe was sometimes displaced caudally in the abdomen to obtain a better angle for visualization. The diaphragm was seen as a single echogenic line ( Figure 1 ), moving towards the probe during inspiration and away from the probe during expiration [ 5 ]. Diaphragmatic excursion was defined as the difference between the highest point and steep point (amplitude). The diaphragmatic excursion was recorded in different respiratory phases; tidal breathing (normal quiet inspiration), deep inspiration (holding up breathing after maximal inspiration), and sniffing (quick nasal inspiration with a closed mouth) ( Figure 2 ). The direction of movement was also observed (normal or paradoxical), as absent or paradoxical motion may indicate diaphragm paralysis.

Statistical analysis

All data were analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software version 19 (IBM corp., Armonk, NY, USA) after data cleaning and check. Numerical data were presented as mean ±SD, while categorical data were presented as number (percentage). Independent sample t-test and ANOVA were used for comparisons, Pearson correlation coefficient for testing the relationship between diaphragmatic excursion and demographic parameters, and linear regression analysis for the detection of factors affecting diaphragmatic motion. The significance level was set at a p≤0.05.

Totally, 757 healthy subjects with normal spirometry were included in this study [478 men (63.14%) and 279 women (36.86%)]. The mean age of the study population was 45.17±14.84 years. Men were significantly older, had significantly higher FVC% and VT%, while women had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and better FEF25-75% ( Table 1 ). There was a statistically significant difference between right and left diaphragmatic excursion among all studied subjects ( Table 2 ). The ratio of right to left diaphragmatic excursion during quiet breathing was (1.009±0.19); maximum 181% and minimum 28%. Only 19 cases showed a right to left ratio less than 50% (5 men and 14 women). Right diaphrag- matic motion was significantly higher in men than in women ( Table 3 ). There were significant differences in diaphragmatic excursion among age groups ( Table 4 ). However, there were no statistically significant differences among BMI categories ( Table 5 ). A statistically significant positive correlation was found between age and right diaphragmatic excursion during both deep breathing and sniffing, and between age and left hemidiaphragmatic excursion during deep breathing (r=0.045, p˂0.001, r=0.117, p=0.001, r=0.190, p˂0.001, respectively). A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between age and left hemidiaphragmatic excursion during quiet breathing (r=-0.098, p=0.007). On the other hand, a statistically significant negative correlation was detected between BMI and right hemidiaphragmatic excursion during deep breathing and sniffing, and between BMI and left hemidiaphragmatic excursion during deep breathing (r = 0.182, p˂0.001; r = -0.094, p=0.009; r = -0.142, p˂0.001, respectively). A positive correlation between BMI and left hemidiaphragmatic excursion was found during quiet breathing (r = 0.148, p˂0.001) ( Table 6 ). Regression analysis revealed that sex, age, BMI and pulmonary functions affect diaphragmatic motion (good predictors). Age, sex and BMI index significantly affect diaphragmatic motion by variable extents during different types of breathing.

Right diaphragm visualization by B-mode ultrasound. The diaphragm is seen as a thick white line moving with respiration. The liver is used as an echogenic window.

Visualization and measurement of right diaphragmatic excursion by M-mode ultrasound. The diaphragm is seen as a white line moving with respiration. The diaphragmatic excursion is measured as the amplitude of wave seen in M-mode during breathing.

Demographic data and pulmonary functions of the studied population.

# Comparison between men and women

* p<0.05.

Diaphragmatic excursion in the normal population.

Diaphragmatic excursion according to sex.

# Comparison between men and women; *p<0.05.

Diaphragm accounts for three fourths of lung ventilation [ 9 ]. Diaphragmatic imaging is important for the diagnosis of diaphragmatic dysfunction or paralysis [ 3 , 9 ]. Normal values of diaphragmatic excursion are important to evaluate abnormalities in different diseases [ 8 ]. Diaphragmatic dysfunction (weakness or paralysis) is usually underdiagnosed in clinical practice [ 10 ]. Normal values can be used to detect either hypokinesia or hyperkinesia [ 11 ]. In this study we found that the mean diaphragmatic excursion for right hemidiaphragm during quiet breathing was 2.32±0.54 cm, while that for the left one was 2.35±0.54 cm. The mean diaphragmatic excursion during deep breathing was 5.54±1.26 cm for the right side and 5.30±1.21 cm for the left, whereas the excursion during sniffing was 2.90±0.63 cm for the right side and 2.97±0.56 cm for the contralateral hemidiaphragm. These results are in line with the results of previous reports [ 5-7 ]. Normal diaphragmatic excursion in tidal breathing in previous studies was reported to be from 1-2.5 cm [ 8 ]. These values can be affected by age, sex, body composition [ 12 , 13 ], scanning position, and phase of inspiration [ 14 ]. Right diaphragmatic excursion was shown to be significantly better in men than in women ( Table 3 ). The same results were reported by Kantarci et al . who in their study reported a significant difference in diaphragmatic motion between male and female subjects [ 13 ]. In their study, sex was the most significant factor affecting diaphragmatic function. In our study, there was a significant difference in diaphragmatic excursion among age groups ( Table 4 ). Similar results were reported in previous studies [ 6 , 8 ]. Boussuges et al. [ 8 ] reported a higher diaphragmatic excursion in men than women in all types of breathing. This can be attributed to differences in height, weight, age [ 6 , 8 ], diaphragmatic mass, diaphragmatic fiber type property, metabolic activity, contractile properties and environmental factors [ 9 ].

In the current study, a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between age and diaphragmatic excursion during both deep breathing and sniffing in the right side, and during deep breathing only in the left one. Besides, a statistically significant negative correlation was revealed between age and left hemidiaphragmatic excursion during quiet breathing ( Table 4 ). Kantarci et al . [ 13 ] found that diaphragmatic function is significantly lower in the individuals below 30 years when compared to those aged more than 30 years.

We did not find any significant statistical differences among BMI categories ( Table 5 ). However, there was a significant positive correlation between BMI and left hemidiaphragmatic excursion during quiet breathing ( Table 6 ). Moreover, regression analysis showed that age, sex and BMI are the main factors that significantly affect diaphragmatic excursion. Kantarci et al . [ 13 ] reported a significant difference in diaphragmatic motion according to BMI categories and explained this by the difference in fat and muscle composition. In the same context, Scarlata et al . [ 12 ] reported a significant correlation between diaphragmatic motion and gender, age, weight and height. This difference is clinically important for the identification of those with a risk of low diaphragmatic function to include them in rehabilitation programs. This discrepancy between studies may be due to different demographic characters and distribution of population in different body mass index categories. Increased diaphragmatic motion with increased BMI may be attributed to differences in height or the increased diaphragm weight with increased body weight [ 10 ]. This can be confirmed through the assessment of diaphragmatic thickness by ultrasonography.

Diaphragmatic excursion according to age groups.

Diaphragmatic excursion according to BMI.

Correlation with body mass index and age and diaphragmatic excursion.

BMI, body mass index; **correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).

The strengths of this study include the large number of studied populations, different age groups and body composition. This study reflects the normal distribution of diaphragmatic excursion in the normal population in Egypt. Knowing normal references for diaphragmatic ultrasound measurements can be of clinical value in identifying and diagnosing diaphragmatic paralysis, as well as exploring the cause and predicting the prognosis of diaphragm paralysis [ 15 ]. Diaphragmatic ultrasound normal values can be also used to predict the response to treatment as in rehabilitation programs, in addition to setting cut-off values to predict successful weaning parameters from mechanical ventilation. Likewise, it can be used to evaluate diaphragmatic function before and after surgeries. Furthermore, these values can also predict diaphragmatic dysfunction and deconditioning [ 15 ]. They can be applied as a predictor of mechanical ventilation-induced diaphragm dysfunction, too [ 16 ]. The unequal distribution of age groups, the disparity of BMI among different age groups, together with the inability to perform a simultaneous assessment of pulmonary functions and diaphragmatic motion by ultrasound due to technical difficulties are the main limitations of this study. The study included only Egyptian volunteers, which may be considered another limitation, so large worldwide studies are recommended to reach worldwide normal values that can be applied to all countries. Also, further studies are needed for assessments of diaphragmatic functions in patients with chronic respiratory diseases.

Diaphragmatic excursion values presented in this study can be used as reference values to detect diaphragmatic dysfunction in clinical practice. There is a significant statistical difference between right and left hemidiaphragmatic movement during all types of breathing (quiet, deep and sniffing). Age, sex and BMI significantly affect diaphragmatic motion with variable extents during different types of breathing. The assessment of diaphragmatic motion by ultrasound could be a useful indicator for the diagnosis and follow up of respiratory diseases, and could be added to outcomes in clinical trials. Further studies to assess other factors that may affect the diaphragmatic motion including metabolic factors and other anthropometric parameters are required.

Comparison of clinical utility between diaphragm excursion and thickening change using ultrasonography to predict extubation success

Affiliations.

• 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea.
• 2 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, Korea.
• PMID: 29050461
• PMCID: PMC5840594
• DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2016.152

Background/aims: Both diaphragmatic excursion and change in muscle thickening are measured using ultrasonography (US) to assess diaphragm function and mechanical ventilation weaning outcomes. However, which parameter can better predict successful extubation remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical utility of these two diaphragmatic parameters to predict extubation success.

Methods: This study included patients subjected to extubation trial in the medical or surgical intensive care unit of a university-affiliated hospital from May 2015 through February 2016. Diaphragm excursion and percent of thickening change (Δtdi%) were measured using US within 24 hours before extubation.

Results: Sixty patients were included, and 78.3% (47/60) of these patients were successfully extubated, whereas 21.7% (13/60) were not. The median degree of excursion was greater in patients with extubation success than in those with extubation failure (1.65 cm vs. 0.8 cm, p < 0.001). Patients with extubation success had a greater Δtdi% than those with extubation failure (42.1% vs. 22.5%, p = 0.03). The areas under the receiver operating curve for excursion and Δtdi% were 0.836 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.717 to 0.919) and 0.698 (95% CI, 0.566 to 0.810), respectively ( p = 0.017).

Conclusions: Diaphragm excursion seems more accurate than a change in the diaphragm thickness to predict extubation success.

Keywords: Diaphragm; Excursion; Extubation; Thickness; Ultrasonography.

Publication types

• Comparative Study
• Airway Extubation* / statistics & numerical data
• Diaphragm / diagnostic imaging*
• Diaphragm / physiopathology
• Middle Aged
• Prospective Studies
• Retrospective Studies
• Ultrasonography
• Ventilator Weaning / statistics & numerical data

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The Most Beautiful Stations on the Moscow Metro

You might have heard that there are some beautiful metro stations in Moscow. Soviet decorations, chandeliers, mosaic painting and statues are common in many of the stations. The good news is that the Moscow Metro does not cost a lot of money and many of the most beautiful stations on the Moscow metro are on the same line, so you can almost get on and off at each station to visit these. Over the New Year holidays, I had a free afternoon and decided to visit some of these stations. Check out what I found below…..

The main stations that you will want to visit are on the Number 5 line, also known as the Circle Line. An advantage of this line is that you can get to it very easily and quickly no matter where you are in Moscow. The announcements on the metro are in Russian as well as English so you don’t need to worry if your Russian language skills are not good.

If, like me, you arrive in Moscow via train from Kyiv , then you will arrive at a metro station which many Muscovites believe to be the most beautiful of them all…..

Kievskaya metro station was opened in 1954 and features white marble walls which curve upwards and have with large mosaics surrounded by a gold trim in a very classical style. The mosaics depict life in Ukraine and was designed by a Ukrainian who wanted to display Ukraine’s influence and contribution to Soviet Russia.

Kievskaya, one of the most beautiful stations on the Moscow metro

Soviet era artwork between the arches

Mosaic with golden trim

People carrying flags is a common theme

Going into battle

Belorusskaya

If you look at a map of the metro , you will want to go in a clockwise direction on the circle line. So you will want to get on the train going in the Barrikadnaya direction and not Park Kultury. Stay on this line until you reach the 2nd station, Belorusskaya. This station was built in 1952 and like Kievskaya also features white marble pylons and a plaster ceiling.

The ceiling features 12 mosaics in an octagonal shape depicting Belarusian life, while the tiling on the floor is said to resemble a Belarusian quilt. One of the passageway exits of the station has a statue called ‘Belarusian Partisans’ of three men wearing long coats, holding guns and carrying a flag.”

Belorusskaya metro platform

Soviet artwork on the roof

The hammer and sickle features prominently in the metro artwork

Three men carrying guns, holding the flag…

Mayakovskaya

To get to the next station, we need to change onto the green line (line 2) and go just one stop to the station of Mayakovskaya. This station has an art deco theme and, for some, resembles an elaborate ballroom. The columns are faced with stainless steel and pink rhodonite while the marble walls and ceiling have 34 mosaics with the theme “24-hour Soviet Sky. Apparently, Stalin resided here during the 2nd World War as the station was used as a command post for Moscow’s anti-aircraft regiment.

Mayakovskaya metro

24-Hour Soviet Sky mosaic

Bomber planes

It looks like planes flying over Red Square

Novoslobodskaya

It’s time to get back on the metro and return to Belorusskaya. At Belorusskaya, change to the circle line again and continue clockwise to the next station, Novoslobodskaya. With its 32 stained glass panels, this station reminds me of a church. The panels were designed by Latvian artists and are surrounded by a brass border.

Novoslobodskaya metro

The platform of Novoslobodskaya metro

Stained glass artwork

The golden trim around artwork is also very common

Prospekt Mira

Back on the metro and again just one stop until our next station, Prospekt Mira. This station was originally called Botanichesky Sad after the nearby Botanical Gardens of the Moscow State University. The pylons are covered in white marble and decorated with floral bas-relief friezes. The ceiling is decorated with casts and several cylindrical chandeliers.

Prospekt Mira metro station

Notice the floral decoration

Komsomolskaya

On the metro once more and once more we are going just one stop to the next station – Komsomolskaya. This station is famous for its its yellow ceiling. The chandeliers in this station are huge. The photos below do not do this station justice.  For me, this station resembles a presidential palace.  You hace to see it for yourself to truly appreciate it.

Because of it’s location, this is one of the busiest stations in the Moscow metro as it serves three of the main train stations in the city – Leningradsky, Yaroslavsky, and Kazansky so be prepared for a lot of people.

Komsomolskaya metro

The yellow ceiling seems to go on forever

Yellow ceiling and artwork

One of the ceiling mosaics

Elektrozavodskaya

When you are ready to leave Komsomolskaya metro station behind, then get back on the circle line and go one stop to Kurskaya and change to the blue line (line 3) and go to two stops to the Elektrozavodskaya station. This station gets it’s name from a nearby electric light bulb factory and has a somewhat industrial but also futuristic style, with 6 rows of circular lamps (there are 318 lamps in total). I think this is one of the most beautiful stations on the Moscow metro for how unique it is. The station was opened in 1944 after a delay because of the 2nd World War and features 12 marble bas-reliefs of the struggle on the home front during the war.

The Komsomolskaya metro station

The struggles of war at home

Fixing machinery

Hard at work

Making weapons

Building a tank

Even the station sign is elaborate

Ploschad Revolyutsii

Back on the metro line 3 (but in the other direction), getting off at the 3rd stop – Ploschad Revolyutsii (Revolution Square). This is located underneath the square in Moscow of the same name and is a short walk from Red Square in the city centre. It is the perfect place to end a visit around Moscow’s metro. The station features red and yellow marble arches with a total of 76 sculptures in between each arch. The sculptures are supposed to represent the people of the Soviet Union and include soldiers, farmers, industrial workers, children etc… I noticed a lot of people touching the golden chicken in the photo below as well as the show of the woman. I am assuming that this is for good luck.

Industrial worker

Touch the chicken for good luck

Sculpture of the people of the Soviet Union

Woman reading a book – touch the shoe for good luck

In education

Parent and child

These are some of what I think are the most beautiful stations on the Moscow metro. Which ones are your favourite? Would you add any to this list?

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19 comments.

Kievskaya definitely caught me off guard. Didn’t know Moscow metro stations were THIS extravagant! Mayakovskaya is gorgeous too with the marble walls and mosaics. I might just need to book a flight over to admire all of these!

Do it! Kievskaya was my first introduction to the Moscow metro as I got an overnight train from Kyiv.

You know, in the States, all we ever hear is bad stuff about Russia. It’s nice to see other (and lovely!) dimensions of such a controversial place.

It’s the same in the UK which is why I prefer going to see somewhere and making up my own mind. It’s all ‘politics and bullshit’ as I say

I went to Moscow about 13years for Christmas and went to train stations, so I can see these amazing mosaics and chandeliers. I agree with you that are beautiful Stations for sure and I could of wandered around for days. I think Kievskaya is definitely my favourite out of them all and I even have some similar pictures as you.

I imagine Moscow would have been a little different 13 years ago but these stations have probably always looked beautiful

Food and Footprints

You chose some great stations for this write up! Beautiful details in these stations and would love to visit them sometime. Particularly like the Komsomolskaya station with that yellow ceiling!

Thank you very much. Komsomolskaya seems to be a lot of peoples favourite stations too

Sumit Surai

Wow! Without the text I would have thought them to be some museum or gallery.

I know exactly what you mean!

Rosie Fluskey

Wow, it is just stunning! How does anyone get to work with so much to look at. I’m surprised at the very bourgeois-looking Komsomolskaya station. I would have thought it was all too Tzarist looking, but then I haven’t been to Russia yet lol. This has just made me want to go more!

Wow, that’s a lot of artwork. I wonder how old some of these pieces are?

Generally most of the stations are from 1940-1960 approximately. The later stations are more functional than style.

My mother-in-law was in Moscow fifty years ago and still raves about the metro stations. So far, I could not imagine much. But now! The pictures are great and I think it’s almost a pity that this splendor is underground. But for every user of the Metro can enjoy a free trip to the world of art. Susanne

True. It is like having a free trip to an art museum/gallery. I hope that you can one day visit Moscow and see for yourself.

Oh wow, I would never have known that these were metro stations. The ceilings remind me of how you need to look up sometimes, even in the commuter rush!

It is true about life in general, we just go from A to B looking directly in front of us instead of around us

Wow, I would have never guessed that these were stations. The decor is so pretty and not one I’m used to seeing at metro stations. Love the ceiling at The Komsomolskaya metro station.

They certainly don’t look like metro stations. The ceiling there is one of my favourites too!

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