We are well aware of how much and of what we put into our bodies when it comes to food, fluids, supplements, etc. However, very few are talking about how much air we breathe, and its impact on our body. Here’s a little knowledge and some simple exercises to start developing a few skills that can be implemented immediately on and off the mats. 1️⃣A higher Co2 tolerance will equate to a more regulated breathing pattern while under duress. 2️⃣It will allow us to preserve the power output of our breathing musculature for longer periods. 3️⃣Improved Co2 tolerance will also allow us to regulate our breathing so that our bodies have more Co2 available during exertion to buffer elevated acid levels. 4️⃣One of the greatest benefits of improved Co2 tolerance is the reduction of breathlessness while we train. It allows us to train harder and longer, and by maintaining control of our breathing, we maintain equal flow of oxygen to our brain and muscles to maintain motor skills essential for performance. First and foremost, begin breathing through your nose all day. Forever, constantly. This alone will yield some positive changes. Here’s a skill to implement for 5–10-minute periods that we picked up from the book Oxygen Advantage. Breathe Light Breathe Right - Breathe through the nose only. - Short breaths in through the nose and into the abdomen (focus on following the breath in through the nose, through the throat, down through the chest and into the abdomen). - Slow, controlled breath out through the nose. Continue to take a shallower breath in each time, gradually creating an air shortage. - If air shortage gets too strong, take 1-3 normal breaths in through nose to relieve tension, then resume shallow inhale progression again. This exercise is simple and begins to teach your body to accept greater levels of co2. It is also a great way to bring yourself into the present by focusing on your breathing, a key part of meditation and clearing your mind.
