I’m really unsure why it’s so overlooked, maybe because it’s an unconscious action we do over 20,000 times per day. However, we know through scientific research, various practices and techniques can alter our physical, mental and emotional state. Whether you’re looking to improve athletic performance to become a more efficient marathon runner or reduce stress and improve focus to be more effective in the workplace, there will be a technique for you.
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In this short write up, I’ll provide you with a few bite-sized nuggets of gold in 4 key breathwork areas:

1) Functional Breathing Pattern
2) Mouth v Nose
3) Breathing When Exercising
4) Changing State

Breathing is absolutely essential to life. We breathe, we live, we stop breathing, we die. However, understanding functional v dysfunctional breathing can have a massive impact on day-to-day health. When I refer to FBP, I’m focusing on the biomechanics (diaphragm and rib movement) and biochemistry (O2 & CO2) of respiration. For optimal gas exchange to take place, light, slow and deep (LSD), breathing is optimal!

1) Bring oxygen into the lungs
2) Transport oxygen from lungs to bloodstream
3) Transport oxygen from bloodstream to working cells & tissues

We want to avoid dysfunctional breathing traits. This includes:

1) Over breathing
2) Mouth breathing
3) Upper chest
4) Short and shallow
5) Hearing breathing
6) Frequent sighing

Yes, it makes a HUGE difference! As the oxygen is inhaled through the nose, it’s filtered, humidified, warmed and slowed. Nitric oxide, a vasodilator, is picked up in the nasal cavity which re-distributes blood throughout the lungs. Not to mention the nose being our first line of defence against airborne pathogens along with reducing asthma symptoms.

Use the nose as much as you can until the intensity gets too difficult. It may be tough at first if you’re not used to it, however, the research shows that your nose will adapt if you give it time. The nose naturally slows the speed at which we breathe, and we know breathing less breaths per minute is more advantageous to oxygen uptake in the muscles. Yes, you read that correctly. If we breathe too heavily with no control, we blow off too much CO2. CO2 is essential in the body as it must be present for oxygen to detach from haemoglobin and travel into the working muscles.