There are several reasons why personal trainers, instructors in fitness videos and other exercise specialists routinely specify how you should breathe during the course of any exercise. It's not just to help make sure you don't run short of...
Diaphragmatic, or abdominal, breathing works by contracting the diaphragm to create negative pressure in the lungs, filling them will air. With shallow breathing you see expansion in the chest. When practicing diaphragmatic breathing, the...
Your diaphragm is a deep abdominal muscle that works with the muscles in your ribs and obliques to assist the lungs in the mechanics of breathing. Most people who breathe with their chest lack diaphragm activation, which can cause them to have...
Isometric abdominal exercises emphasize on your ability to maintain a motionless position in your body for a period of time. It works on your ability to stabilize your spine, pelvis and limbs by using the deep muscles and tissues close to your...
A damaged or obstructed lymphatic system leads to lymph fluid swelling in the skin, otherwise known as lymphedema. Though there is no cure for lymphedema as of 2010, performing proper exercises can help reduce and treat lymphedema in the legs....
No one can live without breathing, but not everyone takes advantage of the health benefits of breathing consciously. Among those who do are yogis, who call the breath "prana" -- a Sanskrit word for the universal life force. They believe...
Beginner yoga students often wonder what is needed to get started with the practice, and many imagine having to have fancy clothing, props, mats and other accessories. While these things are good additions, the only real requirements for becoming...
Stress can take a toll on the body, causing mental fatigue, lowered immune response and muscular tension. In the fast-paced world, it may seem like you lack the time to recover from all of life's pressures, but research at the Mayo Clinic suggests...
According to the National Institutes of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect around 40 million American adults each year. This number does not include people who feel a normal amount of anxiety when faced with a stressful event. This type of...
A cesarean section is a major abdominal surgery that involves a surgical incision through the uterus and abdomen. It is normal to experience cramping and pain in the incision after the surgery is complete, according to the American Congress of...
Lung disgorgement, or the need to expel fluid and mucus from the lungs, can be due to a variety of conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, allergies, bronchiolitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Although you must check with your doctor...
Lymphedema is an abnormal lymph fluid buildup. Blockages or interruptions of lymph fluid within the lymphatic system produce swelling. Depending on the cause of the lymphedema, doctors suggest different treatment options. If an infection is the...
There are different breathing techniques that produce various physical, mental and emotional effects. Some techniques are more inclined toward relaxation and stress management whereas others are used specifically to energize the body and mind....
From the ancient schools of yogis and Taoist sages to the halls of Western hospitals, deep breathing is widely acknowledged as an essential tool for healing. Therapeutically beneficial for patients trying to wean themselves from ventilator use or...
Breathing exercises can strengthen an athlete's lungs. How an athlete breathes during training can also affect his of her performance. A study performed by Sarah Caird, Gordon Sleivert and Alexander McKenzie from the University of Otago in New...
Breathing is an automatic function of the body, but the effects of aging, shallow breathing and disease may negatively effect your ability to get enough oxygen to your body. According to the University of Missouri- Kansas City, "a 20 percent...
For centuries, martial artists and yoga practitioners have used deep-breathing exercises to strengthen their bodies. Weak stabilizing muscles in your abdominal cavity and spine can cause back pain, according to Anthony Carey, owner and corrective...
Nobody likes to wake up to find dark, purplish circles under their eyes that announce to the world that they didn't get enough sleep. Lack of sleep is not always the cause of these circles, but it is usually what people attribute it to. One way to...
Breathing exercises that engage your abs are presented in the Pilates method of movement. This breathing and abdominal control requires concentration and deliberate body placement. The result is a satisfied feeling of well-being and a supple...
Increasing our breathing can have a substantial effect on your sympathetic or involuntary nervous system, according to the American Medical Student Association. Your sympathetic nervous system regulates your digestion, circulation, blood pressure...
Many activities require you to focus on low breathing techniques when you exercise, such as yoga and tai chi. Low breathing refers to diaphragmatic breathing, in which you expand your belly when you inhale and contract your belly when you exhale,...
Breathing techniques provide a multitude of health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, slowing respiration and decreasing tension. Deep breathing improves concentration, increases the flow of oxygen into the bloodstream and can create a...
Improper breathing, which can occur before a stressful event such as a wrestling competition, can result in fatigue and a decrease in mental alertness. Rapid or improper breathing can also cause stiffness in the rib cage, reduce your oxygen...
Contracting your abdominal muscles is good for your posture and will strengthen your torso. When you pull your abdominal muscles in toward your spine, your abs help your back muscles to keep you standing straight. Doing this on a regular basis can...
Oxycise exercises are based on the theory that by performing deep, diaphragmatic breathing you can increase the amount of oxygen in your body to increase the amount of calories burned. The program was devised by Jill Johnson as a way to help...
Breathing properly can make a positive difference in your life. Breathing exercises can help you consciously deepen your breathing, which helps reduce stress, alleviates anxiety and depression, and can calm you down in even the most stressful...
Breathing is something people take for granted. With the possible exception of brief periods of meditation when it is common to observe the breath, most people do not think about breathing. But breathing exercises have a profound impact on our...
Learning to breathe properly during exercise can mean the difference between an invigorating workout and one that leaves you fatigued and breathless. When doing abdominal exercises, like crunches or planks, the right breathing technique can...
According to Dr. Michelle Scharff-Olsen, professor of exercise science at Auburn University, "one crunch does not fit all," and when it comes to working your abs efficiently, the more variety of exercises the better. One of Dr. Scharff-Olsen's...
Strengthen your core muscles with Pilates. There are specific techniques and equipment in Pilates that work the core. Learn how to build your core muscles in your exercise routine with this Pilates video lesson.
The criss cross is a Pilates exercise that attacks the abdominals, while maintaining an emphasis on breathing. Learn to perform the criss cross exercise from a Pilates instructor in this video.
The Pilates Side Kick increases flexibility. Learn how to do the Side Kick in an exercise routine with this Pilates video lesson.
