The Importance of Including Breathwork into your
Exercises and Rehab Program
Did you know that we take roughly 20,000 breaths per day? Breathing is largely a subconscious activity that brings oxygen to the body’s cells. Bringing some conscious thought to your breath with exercise and movement has many benefits including:
- It’s a quick and efficient way to tap into our parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system. Feeling stressed? Having trouble falling asleep? Want to unwind after an intense workout or hectic day? In a comfortable position, take a few breaths focusing on a gentle breath in the nose and a long, slow exhale through the mouth. This signals our parasympathetic nervous system to aid in full-body relaxation.
- It helps with your pelvic floor exercises. In an ideal system, the respiratory diaphragm and the pelvic floor work together. As you breathe in, the diaphragm and pelvic floor descend helping to relax the pelvic floor muscles. As you breathe out, the diaphragm and the pelvic floor ascend helping to engage the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles.
- It improves the efficiency of your exercises. The diaphragm and the pelvic floor make up the top and the bottom of your “core canister.” Coordinating your breath with your exercise or movement helps to engage important muscles that provide stability to the body.
Want to learn more about how breathing affects your body and movement? Contact us below to set up an evaluation with one of our therapists.
Contact us below to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of our therapists. The therapist will provide an individualized assessment to develop a customized treatment plan to help you attain your goals. We offer in-person visits at our clinic in Riverdale, concierge in-home sessions, and virtual visits over telehealth to cater to all of your needs.
We look forward to helping you achieve your wellness goals.
TeaMPT: Rachel, Julie, Christine, Yoshi, Liz, Heidi, Kasandra, Michael, and Toni
