A recent cry in the fitness world sounded like this: To live, we have to eat, we have to breathe. Well, eating well and exercising have long been considered important parts of a healthy lifestyle, but breathing? Isn’t reminding someone to breathe like telling Bugs Bunny to eat his carrots?
Although the average pair of human lungs only take up 2/10ths of a cubic foot, if the inside surfaces were stretched out, they would cover 860 square feet-almost as big as a small dojo! It makes sense that effective breathing can improve the way our bodies function while they rest and work.
The Martial Arts are already helping your body to take in more oxygen-when you are training hard, practicing your forms or sparring, you breathe harder. Follow these guidelines to make the most of those 860 square feet every day!
-Be aware of your breathing. When you find that you are breathing lightly and shallowly, take not of it, and make an effort to breathe more fully.
-Watch your posture. There’s a broad muscle about three inches above your navel called a diaphragm. It controls how much air actually gets into your lungs. It does its job best when you are sitting or standing with your back straight.
-Know the difference between mouth and nose breathing. When you are resting, breathing through your nose is usually fine. When you are exercising, a combination of nose and mouth breathing is best. Although mouth breathing brings in more air, it also sends more out, and can actually end up depriving you of oxygen. However you do it, be sure to breathe in all the way to your stomach, not just to your chest.
-Take the time to breathe. It’s amazing how often you may hold your breath during the day, especially while exerting yourself. No matter how focused you are, remember to breathe!
-Take a few moments each day to do some deep breathing.
Try the “Recharge Breath” from the International Breath Institute (www.transformbreathing.com):
First, inhale (through your nose or mouth) until you have filled your belly like a balloon, allowing it to stretch fully. Once your lungs are full, lift your shoulders to stretch your ribs, and push the air out by pulling your stomach in toward your spine. Massage your hands while you breathe. Relax and enjoy!
Sensei Malcolm Bale
www.jiu-jitsu-calgary.com
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 at 11:59 am and is filed under Martial Arts.
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