Want to improve core strength and overall mobility? Start with your breath.
We all breathe all the time, big deal ? Well it turns out breathing is not just essential for sustaining life, ‘how you breathe’ plays a major role in reducing muscle tension, promoting relaxation, and facilitating movement.
Breathing is how we tap into our parasympathetic state, often referred to as the "rest and digest" response. This counteracts the effects of the sympathetic state, the "fight or flight" response. But, given our modern lifestyles of extended sitting & constant state of busyness it can be difficult to remember to take a deep breath & chill.
even more than that deep, intentional nasal breathing also helps to:
- Improve mobility for the rib cage & thoracic spine
- Strengthen the diaphragm (part of your core muscles)
- And alleviate strain on neck muscles that are involved in secondary/shallow breathing.
This is especially helpful for people who suffer from chronic tension, as well as for athletes who need to maintain mobility for optimal performance. Your breath is a simple yet powerful tool for promoting relaxation, reducing muscle rigidity, and facilitating movement. So, to get more gains out of your usual work out routine start with your breath.