Learn about 3 breathing exercises for athletes and everyday people to improve focus and performance. Also, discover a recovery breath technique for relaxation. Incorporate post-workout breathing exercises to promote physical and mental recovery. Build endurance and promote relaxation with 2 breathing exercises for athletes. Access these exercises through a sport yoga app with a special discount code for listeners.
Practicing diaphragmatic breathing can improve breathing efficiency, enhance performance, and promote relaxation.
Incorporating a recovery breath after workouts can accelerate recovery, improve sleep quality, and enhance mental focus.
Deep dives
Breathing Mechanics: Diaphragmatic Breathing or Belly Breathing
In this podcast episode, the host introduces the concept of diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing as a fundamental breathing technique for athletes and everyday individuals. The exercise involves taking deep breaths into the belly, activating the diaphragm, and filling the lungs fully. By practicing this technique, individuals can improve their breathing efficiency, enhance performance, and trigger a relaxation response in the body. The host provides a step-by-step guide for practicing diaphragmatic breathing, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the belly while inhaling and keeping the chest still. This exercise has numerous benefits, including stress reduction, improved performance, and daily mindfulness.
Recovery Breath: Elongating the Exhale
The podcast highlights the importance of a recovery breath to help athletes and individuals relax and recover both physically and mentally. The exercise involves taking longer exhales than inhales, which activates the parasympathetic nervous system and promotes a state of relaxation. By incorporating this technique after workouts or intense training sessions, individuals can accelerate recovery and improve sleep quality. The host provides instructions for practicing the recovery breath, suggests lying down for optimal relaxation, and encourages a focus on breathing through the nose for deep inhalations. This exercise not only aids recovery but also enhances mental focus and overall well-being.
Performance Breath: Building Endurance through Breath Holds
The podcast explores the use of breath holds to improve endurance and increase our tolerance to carbon dioxide. Holding the breath triggers a buildup of carbon dioxide, which helps release more oxygen to the working cells, improving performance and delaying fatigue. The host introduces a beginner-level exercise involving inhaling for six seconds, holding the breath for 12 seconds, and exhaling for six seconds. Through consistent practice, individuals can enhance their carbon dioxide tolerance, optimize oxygen delivery, and improve endurance during physical activities. The host encourages listeners to experiment with longer breath holds and shorter intervals based on their capabilities. This breathing technique provides athletes with a valuable tool for boosting performance and achieving optimal results.
Breathing exercises help athletes prepare, perform and recover to their best. In this episode, Lewis explains and runs through 3 basic breathing exercises that you can follow along to and use in your training and routines.
Note: Make sure you not driving, operating machinery while performing these exercises.
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