The muscles of respiration are the muscles of postural support. Every muscle that originates or inserts into the trunk is both a respiratory and a postural muscle. External and internal forces that affect the function of the respiratory muscles also affect postural responses. Learning to control postural responses (postural reeducation, balance training, movement coordination training) will benefit respiration; likewise learning controlled breathing techniques will benefit postural control, balance, and movement coordination. Any study of breathing coordination should include postural coordination and any study of postural coordination should include breathing coordination.

F.M. Alexander (founder of the Alexander Technique), nicknamed "the breathing man", included the breathing mechanism in his view of the body's total coordination. He recognized that the diaphragm's motion was supported by the frame of the spine and ribcage, and that a preferred spine and ribcage alignment depended on the head/neck spine alignment (primary control). He demonstrated the relationship of postural coordination and the breathing mechanism: as the spine realigned and the rib cage shifted and became more mobile, fuller inhalation and exhalation could occur with ease. Alexander developed a technique to maximize both postural/movement coordination and breathing coordination. Another innovator in the training of controlled breathing was Carl Stough, nicknamed "Dr. Breath", who developed techniques to enhance breathing coordination, working first with emphysema patients, and later with teachers of the Alexander Technique and others who wished to enhance their understanding of the breathing mechanism.