Breathing exercises can help with exercise and improve your level of physical fitness in a variety of ways. Specific, focused breathing exercises can increase your lung capacity, induce relaxation, decrease exercise-induced cramping by increasing the flow of oxygen and help you develop a sense of mindful awareness of your body when you exercise.
Yogic Breathing
Yogic breathing, also known as pranayama, is a breath technique used not only in yoga, but in other mind-body practices such as Pilates and Tai Chi. This breathing technique helps with relaxation and promotes mindfulness. According to author Scott Shaw in his book, "The Little Book of Yoga Breathing: Pranayama Made Easy," yogic breathing can instill you with a renewed sense of vigor and provide your body with more oxygen. To practice a simple pranayama technique, sit in a chair with a straight back. Align your head, neck and spine. Place your hands on your thighs, palms facing up. Breathe in through your nose, hold the breath for a few seconds, and exhale out of your mouth. Practice breathing like this for a few minutes each day.
Breathing for Vitality
This exercise can be used whenever you feel like you're not taking in enough oxygen and can also help to replenish low levels of energy, according to Sukhraj S. Dhillon in his book, "The Power of Breathing." Stand with your feet together, toes pointing straight ahead. Interlace your fingers and place your knuckles under your chin. Inhale through your nose, raising your elbows up to the ceiling. Take in as much air as you can, filling your belly, then your chest, with air. Gently exhale out of your mouth, letting the air out of your lungs as slowly as possible.
Push-up Breathing Exercise
The push-up breathing exercise can help develop breath control while your body is in motion, according to fitness expert Jonathan Haas in an article for his website, Warrior Fitness. Start in the top of a push-up position, with your legs straight back behind you and your arms straight and in line with your shoulders. Inhale, then continue inhaling as you lower your body down, filling your belly with air. Pause at the bottom of your push-up and begin exhaling. Continue to exhale as you push your body back up into your starting position. Now reverse the cycle, exhaling as you lower down and inhaling as you push your body back up.
Panting
Panting is a breathing technique that is useful during times of physical effort or strain, as it involves the use of fewer skeletal muscles, according to author Dhillon. Relax your jaw with your mouth slightly open. Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Exhale, making an audible "huh" sound, then inhale, pulling the air quickly back over your tongue and into your lungs. This is a quick breathing technique, in which both the inhalation and exhalation occur in the time span of about one second.
