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Breathing Recovery

Breathing recovery is the process of restoring the body’s natural breathing pattern after it has been disrupted by pain, stress, injury, or illness.  A variety of techniques can be utilized together to achieve optimal breathing. These include:

• Exhale focused breathing: This is the most effective form of breathing to position your diaphragm so that it can work as your primary respiratory muscle as it is intended. It involves breathing in less and exhaling fully to sense your ribcage dropping down and in.
• Nose breathing: Breathing in through the nose helps to filter and warm the air before it reaches the lungs. Nose breathing reduces stress and anxiety, improves sleep quality, increases oxygen intake, enhances physical performance, and boosts immunity.
• Thoracic mobility exercises: These exercises help to improve the range of motion of the rib cage, improve diaphragm position, and promote alternation, which can help to improve breathing efficiency.

Restorative Breathing

Restorative breathing is slow gentle form of breathing that involves using the breath to relax the body and mind and promote an Autonomic Nervous System change from a “fight or flight” mode to a “rest and recovery” mode.   Restorative breathing is used in Meditation and Pranayama a type of yoga practice.

Breathing for exercise can promote recovery and is an essential part of overall health and well-being. By improving our breathing, we can reduce stress, improve athletic performance, and prevent injuries.

Here are some additional benefits of breathing recovery:

• Improved sleep – Incorporating breathing and other relaxation exercises before bed may help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.  Breathing exercises may also improve the body’s production of melatonin, an important sleep hormone.
• Reduced anxiety and depression – Deep breathing can help lessen stress and anxiety.  By breathing slower and more deeply exhale and pause after the exhale resisting the temptation of needing to inhale, you signal your nervous system to calm down.  Breathing deeply slows down the release of cortisol, a stress hormone, which is why there is a link between depression and breathing.
• Increased energy levels – As you breathe deeply, you increase your energy levels and allow fresh oxygen and nutrients to be distributed to your cells.  This helps the brain, organs, and muscles to function at optimal levels.
• Improved concentration – Studies suggest that different breathing patterns activate our brain networks related to mood, attention, and body awareness.
• Enhanced athletic performance – breath is the key component to your survival and yet most of us take it for granted or ignore it, even though focusing on how you breathe could boost your physical and mental levels exponentially.  Many professional athletes consider breathwork training to be their ‘secret weapon’ – and for good reason since it could be the difference between winning and losing.