Breathing Exercises

Hit Counter

Gold Affiliates Wanted!

Get Linked from 16,000 + sites with one click.

Why Should I Do Breathing Exercises?

Many people question where they can put deep breathing exercises into their routines. They question their value. Even first time exercisers question them. This article will hopefully shed some light on this issue and provide some information highlighting where people can place them in their current routine.

First time exercisers

If you are someone who has never trained before (or not for years) then really breathing exercises are the ideal vehicle to get yourself in good shape and are a good entry into more challenging routines (although breathing exercises ALONE can generate a good sweat if you know how!).

They are instantly accessible, easy to learn, they eliminate the need for expensive gym memberships, and are good for the shy type of person who can use them to train in the privacy of their own home while they develop a base of fitness.

Another benefit is their holistic nature. Breathing exercises emphasise internal health first and also promote muscular strength if done correctly. No, they won't build big muscles, but they offer something much more beneficial for those looking to improve health as opposed to only aesthetic improvement.

Experienced exercisers

These people can also benefit from breathing exercises but in a different way to those who have no real fitness levels to speak of. One of the main ways this can happen is on so called 'off days'. An experienced exerciser can utilise breathing exercises to maintain (or improve) fitness levels without any chance of becoming too sore to continue their main training routine.

They can be particularly useful for those who mostly do weight training but who also wish to get at least some cardiovascular training in as well. A recent study illustrated that deep-breathing exercises on their own helped to improve fitness levels and this was done with athletes' not even non-exercisers!

Meditation benefits for all

Of course deep breathing and meditation go hand in hand and this type of training is for everyone. Meditation can benefit athletes by allowing them to get into a relaxed state and then visualising themselves performing optimally. For inexperienced exercisers meditation can allow them to see themselves improving in terms of health much more clearly thus providing impetus to continue their regimes.

Where/when to use breathing exercises?

Inexperienced exercisers:

One of the best times is at the start of the day (before breakfast) by getting some fresh air and spending ten to fifteen minutes performing invigorating breathing exercises combined with body movement. This sets you up for the day kick-starting your metabolism and massaging internal organs. Another good time is the end of the day where you can use more meditation-based exercises to wind down and assess your physical goals.

Experienced exercisers:

As already mentioned on 'off days' deep-breathing exercises can be used to maintain current fitness levels. Perhaps for the athlete breathing type exercises can be used to warm up before your normal routines but where they come into their own is that they can be used to calm an athlete's mind that lets them clearly visualise winning.

One study took an individual out of a weekly group practice of basketball and instead asked him to 'see' himself scoring more shots/baskets. The result? He ended up scoring more points than ever when he was actually on the court!

Conclusion

Never underestimate the power of deep breathing exercises. From the dynamic ones through to the meditative ones they can have a massive, positive, impact on anyone willing to use them.
(c) Tim Webb 2007
Tim Webb owns http://www.BreathForSuccess.com and offers a weekly ezine as well as an e-book concerned with breathing exercises and holistic health.