Stretching is an important part of warming up and cooling down before and after exercising. Many people do not realize the significance of proper breathing while stretching. Breathing helps you to relax in a stretch while providing your body with oxygen and detoxifying the body of waste. Breathing is not just an involuntary function; it is a process that we can improve and use to enhance the quality of our stretches.
What Happens When You Breathe
When you inhale, the diaphragm presses down against the organs beneath it such as the stomach and intestines. When you exhale, the diaphragm presses up against the heart and the lungs. Inhalation supplies the heart and lungs with oxygen that travels throughout the bloodstream. Exhalation ensures that carbon dioxide and toxins are pressed out of the body as the organs and muscles are supplied with fresh blood.
Combining Breathing and Stretching
The cells of the body require more energy and more oxygen when active. Stretching is an active, not passive, form of exercise. When you exercise, the body uses oxygen to break down energy supplies in the body. The more you exercise, the more oxygen your body needs. If you do not focus on breathing properly during stretching, you deprive your muscles of the energy necessary to effectively achieve the stretch.
Getting Rid of Carbon Dioxide and Lactic Acid
When you stretch, your muscles produce carbon dioxide and lactic acid. These are waste products that need to be carried out of your body. When you breathe, oxygen takes the place of the carbon dioxide and lactic acid. Your blood disposes of waste as your cells absorb fresh blood and oxygen.
Breathe, Stretch, Relax
Breathing helps you relax into a stretch. If your breath is shallow and short, the body has a difficult time getting rid of waste and heat. Breathing keeps your body from overworking and overheating, which causes unnecessary stress both physically and psychologically. As waste builds up in the muscles and the body creates more heat, you experience physical and psychological stress. Slow inhalation and long exhalation through the nose relieves you of stress and ensures that your body is getting enough oxygen and getting rid of toxins.
References
- "The Breathing Book"; Donna Farhi; 1996
- "Yoga Anatomy"; Leslie Kaminoff; 2007
- National Heart and Blood Institute: What Happens When You Breathe
