Exercises to Enhance Breathing
Breathing is the essence of living. The human body temporarily survives without nourishment or water but quickly suffers without adequate oxygen. Yoga practitioners, runners and public speakers use their own special techniques for inhaling and exhaling. These exercises to enhance breathing require periods of controlled expansion and contraction of the lungs. By paying attention to his breathing, a person influences his body's functions including blood pressure and digestion. In addition, deep breathing helps to resist stress and fatigue.
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Yoga
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Yoga followers concentrate on using breathing exercises that instill a sense of serenity. Most people mistakenly operate as chest breathers and expand only their upper torsos, especially during stressful moments, according to the online Yoga Journal. One technique requires exerting more effort through the lower rib cage. Yoga Journal recommends relaxing the upper chest, shoulders and neck while breathing into the deepest areas of the lungs. Another exercise calls for gradually extending exhalations so they are longer than inhalations.
Running
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A runner depends on his lungs as much as he does his legs. Many joggers unknowingly clench their fists and tighten their shoulders, which stifles the respiratory system, the Runners Guide website reports. A more effective approach is to take deep breaths and then release them all the way out. At the same time, the runner shakes his arms and hands and rotates his head in a circle. He completes this entire exercise several times during a routine run.
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Speaking
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Public presenters know the value of pushing air in and out of their lungs. Establishing good breathing rhythms results in a stronger speaking voice and a release of tension, says Speech-Time website. A person holds her hands at her sides and takes deep breaths through her nose, followed by blowing the air back out through her mouth. With each breath, she pulls as much air as she can into her lungs. She also counts to four with each inhale and each exhale.
Mornings
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Quick spurts of breathing jazz up anyone's morning routine faster than a cup of coffee, according to the American Medical Student Association website. The bellows breathing technique --- also called stimulating breath --- requires the person to sit upright on a chair or bed. He breaths in and out through his nose as quickly as possible as though he is mimicking a bicycle tire pump, always keeping his mouth gently closed. He also stops this breathing exercise after 15 seconds to avoid dizziness.
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References
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