Better Breathing

by: AndreaDow
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Word Count: 366

Sunday, January 28th

It is amazing how many breaths we take in a single day without having to put any conscious awareness or effort into this simple act. What happens when we do turn our attention to our breath and change it slightly? Can we have a powerful affect on our bodies and minds? Read about how many athletes are turning to their breath as a way to turn up their training.

Ayurvedic practitioner Richard Haynes helped his client learn how to breath in and out of the nose to improve athletic performance. This breath is used in both traditional yoga settings and by many pilates practitioners including Power Pilates instructors. Susan Moran, writer for Yoga Journal, reports on the benefits of these breathing techniques. By breathing in and out of the nose during aerobic activity, the heart rate can become much slower and steadier. Nasal breathing allows us to breath more efficiently by bringing more air deeper into the lungs, calms the mind, decreases stress hormones and recharges the body. All of these benefits come as a result of the deeper breath activating parasympathetic receptors. Another nasal breathing benefit is filtering and humidifying the air we breath.

Many elite athletes including Tara Sheahan say that the nasal breathing technique has helped physically and physchologically. One technique to practice nasal breathing on your own from the book Body, Mind, and Sport by John Douillard is outlined below:

Start walking for a few minutes and count your steps as you inhale and exhale. Try to count 1-2-3 on your inhale and 1-2-3 on your exhale and continue adding a count until you reach 10-20 steps for each breath in and out. If you need to breath through your mouth, do so briefly, slow down your pace and go back to nasal breathing. Take your time as this may take a few weeks to accomplish your goal.

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