Breathing for lifters, from a yoga teacher
The breath that helps you hold a heavy squat is not the one that helps you recover between sets. How to use both.
Sofia MorettiYoga teacher, 1 min read
Lifters and yoga teachers both talk about breathing all the time. They just mean opposite things.
Under the bar: brace
Before a heavy rep, take a big breath into your belly and sides, then tighten around it as if someone were about to poke you. Hold it through the hard part of the lift and breathe out at the top. That pressure protects your spine.
Between sets: let go
Now do the opposite. Stand tall or lie down, breathe in through the nose for four, out through the mouth for six or eight. The long exhale brings your heart rate down faster than walking around the gym.
Why it matters
Most people breathe in the middle for everything: not enough to brace, not slow enough to recover. Practise both on purpose and your sets feel stronger and your rests feel shorter.
Come to Vinyasa on Monday evening and we will practise the second one for an hour.
