How to Do It
So, where do you begin? Simple, just breathe. Below you will find a few breathing techniques to help get you started.
Make sure to first find a comfortable and quiet place to sit. Sit up tall with your shoulders relaxed and your shoulder blades drawing down your back. Then, close your eyes and begin to breath in and out through the nose. These should be slow and easy breaths.
1. Basic Breath Awareness
As you begin to breathe, feel the breath travel in through the nasal passages and then down into the lungs. Feel the ribs expand and the chest rise on the inhale. And, on the exhale, feel how everything softens back to a relaxed state.
2. Deep Belly Breathing
Continue to breathe in and out through the nose. Now, feeling as though the breath starts at the pit of the belly, draw the air in through the nose to a slow count of five. Once you've reached the top of your inhale, hold for one count and then exhale to another slow count of five. Continue in this way for three to five minutes.
3. Breath and Flow
Using the deep belly breathing technique, begin to lift your arms overhead on the inhale. On the exhale, let them fall slowly back down with the timing of the breath. Continue to move with the flow of the breath for one to two minutes. This can be done with any type of movement like sitting down and standing or standing and folding forward. The goal is to link your breath with your movement in a slow and mindful way.
Now that you have begun to master the art of breathing, it's time to put it into practice. When you're out on your run or ride, focus on breathing consciously. Link your breath with your movement. The more you practice the easier it will become.
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