Breathing during exercise is imperative to properly oxygenating muscles, maximizing metabolic function and preventing hyperventilation. No matter how well you breathe during strenuous exercise, you might still find yourself out of breath when the exercise is done. Part of a proper cool down after working out involves stretching muscles to retain flexibility and reduce your heart rate. Within a few minutes of cooling down, your breath should return to normal diaphragmatic breathing.
Step 1
Perform stretches for your legs, back and arms. Hold each stretch to a count of 20 while continuing to breathe throughout the stretch. Inhale through the nose and exhale through your mouth. Breathing while stretching helps slow and relax your system.
Step 2
Inhale through your nose, filling your abdomen with air until it is full. Continue inhaling until your chest, throat and nose are full.
Step 3
Hold the breath. This is called retention as you make yourself aware of the oxygen circulating through your blood stream.
Step 4
Exhale through your nose. Start the exhale by contracting abdominal muscles and moving up to release the air in your lungs, throat and nose.
Step 5
Stop for a moment, holding your body still before you take your next breath.
Step 6
Inhale smoothly through the nose again, starting the inhalation, retention, exhalation and suspension process again. Repeat five to 10 times to improve lung capacity.
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