Deep Breathing After Strenuous Exercises

Deep breathing not only improves your delivery of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide and other waste materials from your body, it also strengthens your diaphragm and surrounding muscles that control breathing and posture. According to Jonathan Sears, who is a personal trainer at the CHEK Institute in Vista, Calif., deep breathing reduces your body temperature and stimulates relaxation after strenuous exercise. It also helps you increase your flexibility during a stretching session.

Basic Qigong Breathing

Qigong is an ancient Chinese meditative exercise that combines deep breathing with controlled movements. The basic breathing technique is the foundation to all qigong drills. You can use this drill as part of your cool-down.

Stand with your legs about hips distance apart and your feet pointing forward. Bend your knees slightly, and tighten your buttocks while keeping your spine tall. Inhale through your nose and raise your arms slowly in front of you with your palms facing toward you. Relax your arms and fingers as you raise them, matching the inhalation.

When you have reached the end of your inhalation, stop raising your arms. Exhale through your nose, and lower your arms to your sides. Breathe six to eight more times.

Four-Point Breathing

According to Anthony Carey, co-founder of Function First in San Diego, Calif., this exercise helps you engage your diaphragm and surrounding muscles to breathe. It also teaches you to maintain a neutral spine, where your spine is in its natural curves.

Go on your hands and knees with your knees directly below your hip joints and your wrists directly below your shoulders. Tuck your chin in and maintain a neutral spine. Inhale through your nose, and expand your belly toward the ground. Exhale and press your belly into your spine. Breathe 10 times until the breathing becomes natural.

Downward Dog

You can use this common yoga pose as a breathing exercise after a strenuous workout. Follow the same breathing pattern as in four-point breathing.

Start in the same position as the four-point breathing exercise. Shift your weight back slightly, and curl your toes on the ground. Lift your tailbone up to the sky, and straighten your legs, pushing your heels toward the ground. Press your upper body toward your legs. You should feel a stretch from your hips down to your calves, as well as your back and shoulders. Hold the stretch for four to five deep breaths, and return to the starting position. Repeat this exercise three to four more times.